A Mexican teenager who went on hunger strike in February in a bid to win an invite to the royal wedding has had her trip to London paid for by a wealthy businessman.
Estibalis Chavez, 19, staged her hunger strike outside the British embassy in Mexico City, in the hope of gaining an invite.
And now a Mexican lobbyist, Octavio Fitch Lazo, has agreed to lend her money for the flight.
Miss Chavez was repeatedly told by British officials that there were no more invitations available, but she refused to be dissuaded.
In a country where crime and poverty are serious concerns, the local press scorned her actions, labelling her "The crazy girl from the embassy".
"At the time I didn't see it as something so drastic and dramatic," she said.
"[People] said I risked my health for something many believe to be frivolous and silly. But, I think that for me, it was the only way to achieve my goal."
Estibalis Chavez, 19, staged her hunger strike outside the British embassy in Mexico City, in the hope of gaining an invite.
And now a Mexican lobbyist, Octavio Fitch Lazo, has agreed to lend her money for the flight.
Miss Chavez was repeatedly told by British officials that there were no more invitations available, but she refused to be dissuaded.
In a country where crime and poverty are serious concerns, the local press scorned her actions, labelling her "The crazy girl from the embassy".
"At the time I didn't see it as something so drastic and dramatic," she said.
"[People] said I risked my health for something many believe to be frivolous and silly. But, I think that for me, it was the only way to achieve my goal."
Miss Chavez lost 17 pounds during her fast, and painted a portrait of Prince William and his fiance Kate Middleton, which the embassy also refused to deliver.
She was spotted by Mr Lazo, who decided to help her out.
"It moved me to see that no one understood her very well... I think she is right to fight for what she wants," he said.
Miss Chavez has long had an interest in the British Royal Family, having been told by her father that her mother - who died when she was born - had been a big fan of Princess Diana.
She said that she plans to take her painting, in the hope that one of the photographers will be able to present it to the couple, and plans to watch the ceremony from outside Westminster Abbey.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Update
MADRID --A Mexican girl who staged a 16-day hunger strike in Mexico to get an invitation to the Royal Wedding has been denied entry into Britain.
Estibalis Chavez began painting a portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton the day she started her hunger strike in Mexico.
Someone in Mexico donated the money to her so she was able to get to Madrid.
But she was denied a Visa into Britain because she couldn't prove she had enough money to support herself while in England.
Source: www2.nbc17.com
Royal Wedding Souvenirs
Someone in Mexico donated the money to her so she was able to get to Madrid.
But she was denied a Visa into Britain because she couldn't prove she had enough money to support herself while in England.
Source: www2.nbc17.com
Royal Wedding Souvenirs
No comments:
Post a Comment