Teen Who Met The King Faces Urgent Care Concern As Mother Says Family Has Been Left Fighting For Support
Isla Grist’s meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Royal Garden Party in Edinburgh should have been a moment her family could simply treasure. Instead, her mother says the joy of that royal encounter has been overshadowed by a worrying question: what happens to Isla’s care when she turns 18?
Isla, from the Black Isle near Inverness, lives with epidermolysis bullosa, often known as EB or ‘butterfly skin’. The rare condition makes the skin extremely fragile, meaning she requires specialist support and regular dressing care to help protect her health and reduce the risk of infection.
The King meets Graeme Souness, Isla Grist and her mum Rachael at the Royal Garden Party
Isla Grist with dad Andy and mum Rachael
Isla Grist suffers from epidermolysis bullosa (EB), which leaves her badly blistered
According to her mother, Rachael Grist, Isla has been receiving visits from specialist nurses three times a week at home. But as she moves from children’s services into adult provision, the family says planned arrangements have fallen apart at the last moment.
Rachael claims the family had been working with NHS Highland for months to avoid any gap in support. A care provider had reportedly been identified and staff were expected to begin last month, but she says the agency withdrew on the morning the new service was due to start.
The sudden change has left the family feeling frightened and let down. Rachael said Isla’s care is not optional, explaining that missed dressing changes could quickly create serious health risks. She said her daughter is anxious and that no family should have to fight for such essential support.
The situation has also drawn attention because Isla was among the guests who met the King and Queen during the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She attended the event with her mother and former Scotland footballer Graeme Souness, who is president of the EB charity DEBRA.
For Isla, the garden party offered a brief escape from the daily reality of her condition. She described meeting the King as surreal and unforgettable, saying the experience left her head spinning in the best possible way. She added that the King and Queen were lovely and seemed genuinely interested in how EB affects her life.
One moment felt especially meaningful for the teenager. Isla said the King held her hand while speaking to her, a gesture she described as very special. For Rachael, the encounter felt deeply personal, with the King showing kindness, understanding and a level of interest that made the family feel seen.
But after the royal smiles and photographs, the family returned immediately to real life. Isla joked that she went from meeting royalty to changing from her smart jumpsuit into a onesie in the back of the car at the palace, a reminder of the practical challenges that never disappear.
Graeme Souness has been a prominent supporter of the EB community and previously took part in a major fundraising swim for DEBRA. His presence alongside Isla helped highlight the need for awareness around the condition and the support required by families living with it.
NHS Highland said it could not comment on individual cases. However, a spokesperson said the transition from children’s services to adult health and social care is something the health board takes very seriously.
For Isla and her family, the hope now is simple: that the attention surrounding her royal meeting will help bring focus back to the urgent care arrangements she needs. The garden party may have been a magical moment, but the family says what matters most now is continuity, reassurance and safe support for the next stage of Isla’s life.
