Palace honour for Sylvia Lancaster as she collects OBE with a touch of Sophie's style
The mother of murdered teenager Sophie Lancaster has said her OBE is a "validation" of all those young people targeted for looking or dressing differently.
Sylvia Lancaster, who founded the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in her daughter's memory, was honoured by the Prince of Wales today for her work in stamping out hate crimes.
"He talked about Sophie, actually, and about gang culture," Mrs Lancaster said after the ceremony.
"I'm sure she would be proud. To be here, and we can talk about it, can't we? - You're here in Buckingham Palace - it's very special ... It's not just about the work that we do, it's a validation of the work that we do and of the alternative subcultures as well."
Mrs Lancaster said she was touched that Charles knew about Sophie's tragic death in 2007.
Miss Lancaster was 20 when she was set upon by drunk teenagers in a park in Bacup, Lancashire.
The gang turned on her and her boyfriend, Rob Maltby, 21, who survived the attack, because of their alternative appearance.
Miss Lancaster was kicked and stamped on as she cradled the injured Mr Maltby.
Both fell into comas but Miss Lancaster, a gap-year student, never regained consciousness and died in hospital 13 days later.
Goths are not often seen at Buckingham Palace, but Mrs Lancaster wanted to add a touch of her late daughter's style for her audience with the Prince.
"I've got a velvet bag with a skull on it and that's because it represents the subcultures, and I wanted to bring them with me. That's my thing. And my funky nails," she laughed, pointing to her black and silver nail polish.
"When I was younger I was always quite different, but I really never had the balls to dress like that. But I like the touches."
She said she hoped her charity, which aims to challenge prejudices towards people from alternative subcultures and campaigns on hate crime legislation, would offer troubled youngsters hope.
"We got a letter, probably last week, from a dad whose daughter was being bullied in school - the kids had even given her razor blades," Mrs Lancaster said.
"Her dad was saying 'Thankfully there's someone we can talk to, and you have made it easier' - that there is somebody who'll listen."
She has stayed in touch with Mr Maltby, who has spent the years since the attack rebuilding his life.
"Rob should be allowed to get on with his own life, and thankfully he is doing that," she said.