‘WILLIAM AND HARRY ARE THE BEST – I LOVE THE FACT THEY CARE SO DEEPLY'

AS SHE CELEBRATES HER CBE THE DIANA AWARD CEO TESSY OJO INVITES OK! TO HER HOME TO CHAT ABOUT HER WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRINCES CONTINUING DIANA’S LEGACY AND HER “SECRET VOLUNTEER”

- JOSIE COPSON

Tessy Ojo’s social media bio is heavy-duty – “CEO of royal charity The Diana Award, Anti-bullying pro, Civil Society Leader, Social Change Advocate, Philanthropist, Wife & Mother and Brand Ambassador.” It’s exhausting just reading the list, let alone fulfilling her superwoman role every day.

Her incredible efforts are why she’s such a worthy recipient of her new CBE, having been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list earlier this month. The award recognised her work heading up the charity in the late Diana, Princess of Wales’ name, which offers mentoring and support for young people and anti-bullying schemes. One person who was quick to applaud her was the Duke of Cambridge, who sent Tessy a personal letter of congratulations, having previously thanked her for continuing his mother’s legacy.

Although she’ll be the one accepting the accolade in person from a senior royal (yet to be announced), she says it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her husband Stephen, 51. He encouraged her to quit her well-paid corporate job 20 years ago to pursue charitable endeavours. At the time, the couple had two young children, Keren and Jonathan, now 22 and 20 respectively, and Stephen’s support meant that Tessy, 49, could be both mother and CEO.

Here, after inviting OK! into her beautiful home in Kent, she chats about her journey so far and why the award is bittersweet…

Congratulations! How are you feeling?

I’m on cloud nine. I feel like I should justify it and be doing more to earn this, but everybody’s telling me, “This is a reward for what you’ve already done!” I’ve known since May, but only told my husband, children and one of my brothers, Ambrose.