Darts star James Wade invited to Buckingham Palace by King Charles for heroic work outside of the sport
JAMES Wade mixed with royalty on Wednesday after being invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party by the King.
He earned the honour through his contribution to the community after extensive charity work supporting Bipolar UK.
Wade has been an ambassador for the charity since 2016, spreading awareness of bipolar disorder alongside his decorated career.
He took up the invitation with his wife Sammi to meet King Charles in an event dedicated to others who offer outstanding service to their communities.
Wade, 41, said on X after the party: “Apart from Samantha [and his children] this has got to be up there with the most special and memorable moment of my life.
“A day to remember. God save the King.”
The darts player was diagnosed with bipolar himself in 2012.
In an interview with Sky he explained why it mattered.
He said: “I now understand better why I have outbursts and sometimes say things I shouldn’t.
“I am a little calmer and definitely not as hot-headed as I used to be.”
Wade is currently ranked as world number 10 and thought of as one the best left-handers to grace the sport.
The Englishman is one of the greatest to have never won a world championship, having reached four semi-finals, but achieved a career high ranking of number two in 2010.
He will host a celebrity fundraising day for Bipolar UK on Friday August 22 in Hampshire.