The Queen met a series of diabetes sufferers - including the teenage daughter of a Premier League football boss - at a reception to mark a charity’s 80th birthday tonight.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, his child Mischa, 19, and Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford were among those attending the event for Diabetes UK at St James's Palace in central London.

Rutherford also has a child who suffers from Type 1 diabetes - and both stars lend their support to the cause to raise awareness for the disease. Mischa has had the disease since she was seven.

Greetings: The Queen meets Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers at a reception for Diabetes UK in London

In attendance: The Queen (left) was joined at the event at St James's Palace by football boss Rodgers and his 19-year-old daughter Mischa (together, right) who has had diabetes since she was seven

Proud father: Rodgers has lent his support to the cause of Diabetes UK to raise awareness for the disease

Former Swansea City manager Rodgers said: ‘An event like this shows the seriousness of diabetes - if someone like the Queen is patron of the charity and is celebrating the work at that it does.’

At the end of reception the Queen, dressed in a duck-egg blue silk evening suit, was presented with a posy by eight-year-old Amber Clayton, who was just six when she found out she had diabetes.

Speaking shortly before the presentation a nervous Amber said: ‘Is this a dream, or is this real?’

Mischa said the charity had been a great support to her and that in the 12 years she had lived with diabetes, there had been great advances in treatment.

Your Majesty: Queen Elizabeth II meets Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford (centre) at the reception tonight

Involvement: The Queen met a number of people at the reception, taking a short time to speak with them

‘I have now got cousins around me who are seven years old. It is only when you look at them that you realise they are babies.

My role is to support, firstly Mischa. And she has been incredible as a young lady being diagnosed Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool FC boss

‘They are so young, and so to try and get your head around it, is quite a big thing. It makes you realise how young I was.’

Rodgers said: ‘My role is to support, firstly Mischa. And she has been incredible as a young lady being diagnosed.

‘And then to be able to support the charity is a great honour, and it is a complete honour and privilege to be here tonight.’

The Queen met a number of people at the reception, taking a short time to speak with them and find out about their involvement with the charity.

Patron of Diabetes UK: The event at St James's Palace was scheduled to mark the charity's 80th anniversary

Every little helps: Queen Elizabeth II meets Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis at the reception tonight

In discussion: The Queen speaks with the vice president of Diabetes UK, Judith Rich (left). Diabetes UK cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of people who are affected by or at risk of diabetes

DIABETES UK AND THE THREE MILLION BRITONS WITH DISEASE Diabetes UK cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of people who are affected by or at risk of diabetes. There are 3.2million people in the UK diagnosed with the disease. The charity provides information, help and peer support, enabling people with diabetes to manage their condition effectively. It was set up by novelist HG Wells and Dr RD Lawrence, both of whom had diabetes, as The Diabetic Association. It became the British Diabetic Association in 1954 and Diabetes UK at the turn of the millennium. Advertisement

Rutherford said he had been spoken to about his youngest son Harry, now 27, who was diagnosed with diabetes 15 years ago.

‘I have worked with the charity for a while and the more I can do to promote it, the better. It does such great work.’

Amber, wearing a sparkly pink dress that was bought specially for the occasion, said meeting the Queen had been a ‘weird’ experience.

She added: ‘I have been very excited and it has been making me feel a little bit sick.’

Simon O'Neill, Diabetes UK's director of health intelligence, said: ‘This event marks our 80th anniversary and it is wonderful to celebrate the important work of the charity and all our achievements so far for people with diabetes.