Prince William shares emotional letter to schoolboy, 11, after incredible Rubik’s Cube tribute to late Queen
A WHIZZ kid who created a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by solving 3,000 Rubik’s Cubes has been crowned top of his game – after receiving a letter of thanks from Kensington Palace for honouring the late monarch.
Schoolboy Henil Soni, 11, took just 51 minutes to make the 20 ft by 16 ft mosaic at Harwich and Dovercourt High School in Essex on Friday.
The 320 sq ft artwork, which cost somewhere in the region of £2,000 to £3,000 to build, is one of the biggest ever made using the 3D cubes.
After inviting the Prince of Wales to watch him create the masterpiece, Henil received a letter of thanks from his office saying it was “thoughtful” of him to honour the late Queen.
The letter added: “His Royal Highness would have me express his sincere hope that the event will be a success.”
Henil told The Sun: “It was a very exciting day for me. I have another portrait planned but I’m keeping it a secret for now because it’s going to be extraordinary.
“Another marvellous moment for me was when I got a letter from Prince William a few days before – I am so happy he took his time and replied to me.”
The schoolboy first picked up a Rubik’s Cube when he was just five years old.
Despite the 3D puzzle having 43 quintillion possible combinations – making it mathematically very difficult to solve – it quickly became clear Henil was a pro.
After getting bored of solving the game so quickly, he decided to start creating portraits using the colourful cubes. He chooses a photo, pixelates it, and then divides it into quadrants so he knows where to put each puzzle after he has solved it.
As well as Queen Elizabeth II, Henil has also created mosaics of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi.
His proud mum, shop owner Priyanka Soni, 35, said: “Henil first picked up a Rubik’s cube when he was very small – only around four or five years old – and we quickly realised he was very good at them.
“He decided to start creating portraits when he was still at primary school. He particularly likes creating pictures of famous or important people.
“It costs a lot of money and takes up a lot of room – our whole living room is constantly full of Rubik’s Cubes – but we’re very proud of him.”
Henil hopes to one day beat the Guinness World Record from 2013, which saw Toronto-based designer Josh Chalom create the biggest Rubik’s Cube mosaic in the world using 85,794 puzzles.
The 220 ft long and 13 ft tall wall art showed the skyline of Macau in China.
In conversation with the Mercian Regiment at the Bulford Camp in Wiltshire, the 42-year-old Royal dished out presents and enjoyed lunch.
It comes after Prince William brought festive cheer to a military party last week.
In conversation with the Mercian Regiment at the Bulford Camp in Wiltshire, the 42-year-old Royal dished out presents and enjoyed lunch.
Prince William's sweet message in full
Dear Mrs. Soni,
The Prince of Wales would have me thank you for your letter, in which you invite His Royal Highness to your son’s world record attempt in December.
Although The Prince is unable to attend on this occasion, it was most interesting to hear about Henil’s wonderful achievements and His Royal Highness would have me express his sincere hope that the event will be a success.
It was thoughtful of Henil to honour Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in this way. The Prince of Wales would have me send his warmest thanks and very best wishes to you and to Henil.
Yours sincerely,
Head of Royal Correspondence
Mrs. Priyanka Soni