Royal fans Alex and Shane Rae are hoping to meet the Queen over tea and cakes next month, after their names were drawn to attend a royal Jubilee Garden Party.

The party, organised by the Lord Lieutenants of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, takes place at Henley Business School, near Henley-on-Thames, on June 25.

To make sure everyone who wanted to attend had a fair chance, the names of thousands of applicants were put in a public ballot on May 9.

And the Raes, from Brize Norton, could not believe their luck when they learned their names had been drawn.

Publisher Mr Rae, 42, who is originally from Canada, said: “It’s timely because we took our children to see Buckingham Palace just two weeks ago.

“I haven’t met any of the Royal family before, although Alex met Prince Edward when she was 17 and at school.”

Mrs Rae, 34, a primary school tea-cher, said: “We’ve always wanted to go to one of the Queen’s Garden Parties and going to the Jubilee one will be amazing.”

Mr Rae added: “We are excited. And if by some small chance we do get close to Her Majesty, I will thank her for reigning over Canada for so long!”

About 100 charities and community groups have also been invited to send representatives to the party, including Oxford’s Food Bank, Age UK Oxfordshire and the Royal British Legion.

In January, Oxfordshire Community Foundation launched a Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire aiming to raise millions of pounds for community groups, to commemorate the Queen’s 60-year reign.

The foundation hosted the Jubilee Garden Party ballot at its offices in Woodins Way, Oxford.

Foundation chief executive Jayne Woodley said: “We now hope that the whole county will come together and do their bit to mark the anniversary by raising money for the fund, which will give financial help to hundreds of the county’s small charities and projects, many of which are struggling to survive.”

To donate to the Jubilee Fund or to fundraise for it, email jubilee@ oxfordshire.org, call 01865 798666 or drop into OCF’s offices at 3 Woodins Way, Oxford. Alternatively, donate by phone by texting JBLE 12 to 70070 with a donation.

To apply for Jubilee Fund cash, visit oxfordshire.org