When Declan met Harry... What Syston schoolboy said during met Prince in London

Schoolboy Declan Spencer broached the touchy subject of Prince Harry's naked antics in Las Vegas when the pair met in London.

The 13-year-old from Syston chatted to the royal about the stories in the national press when he was named Inspirational Child of the Year.

Declan told Prince Harry, who is patron of the WellChild Awards, that the fun he had in the gambling capital of the world showed he was down-to-earth.

Declan's mum, Alex, revealed yesterday how she and her son had been bold enough to bring up the subject of the Las Vegas stories.

Alex said that Declan and the prince chatted about a few things at Monday night's ceremony.

She said: "We told him we thought the stories about him in Las Vegas just showed how down-to-earth he was – he just smiled."

Declan was not the only youngster at the ceremony to touch on the subject of the prince's activities in Nevada, with cheeky six-year-old Alex Logan being subdued by a jokily wagging royal finger.

Prince Harry had to resort to the slight rebuke to silence Alex, from Lincoln.

Earlier, ITV News had asked the youngster what he would say to the royal, to which he replied: "I'm glad you've got your clothes on, Prince Harry."

However, when the time came the prince, with a smile on his face, kept the little boy in check.

His mother Debbie, 39, who stood by as her son met the prince, said: "Harry said to Alex 'it looks like you're dying to say something but you know she will tell you off!'"

Declan's mum said that apart from the little chat about Las Vegas, it was pretty much boy talk about cars, holidays and the Paralympics.

The award was in recognition of the teenager's courage and determination in coping with the incurable, muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Mum Alex said: "The whole evening was phenomenal. It really was amazing. I am not sure I can pinpoint which the best bit was.

"It was wonderful to see Declan dressed so smartly and to meet the other inspirational people that were at the event.

"I was also touched at the number of people that came up to us to say how brave and inspirational they had found Declan to be."

She added: "I suppose it is every girl's dream to meet a prince and Harry was so down to earth.

"He really was his mother's son in the way he was so interested in the children and the way he talked to them. I feel very privileged to have met him.

"He spoke to Declan about the Paralympics, which they both had been to, and cars which Declan loves.

"He made such an effort with all the children, telling them it was a privilege to meet them."

But the highlight of the evening for Declan was sitting with one of his all-time heroes at dinner.

One of the guests on his table was comedian Russell Howard, who also presented him with his award.

Alex said: "He is one of Declan's idols and Russell was friendly. It was just like having one of the family at the table."

Declan said: "The whole evening was so exciting. It was good meeting Prince Harry but I think the best bit for me was having Russell Howard sit next to me at dinner."

Declan was nominated for the award by his mother, his uncle Matt Jones and Stacey Stephens, fiancée of another uncle, Andy Jones.

He was one of 17 winners chosen from hundreds of nominations for the eighth annual awards from the WellChild charity, which is dedicated to making sure sick children get the best treatment.

Other celebrity guests on the night included the entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, of Dragons' Den fame; former professional swimmer Mark Foster; journalist and news reader Emily Maitlis; the band Scouting for Girls; TV sports reporter and journalist Chris Hollins; actors James and Oliver Phelps and Olympic medalists Peter Wilson and Kate Walsh.