Have you met the Queen?

[Gemini]

This is the topic of a TV phone in this morning, Platinum Jubilee Day.


Have you met or seen the Queen at all?

In 1971 took part in a production called the York Pageant, every night in the Museum Gardens for a month.
During that time (York's 2000th anniversary) there was a garden party in the Museum Gardens, to which the Queen was invited. By invitation only of course and all the Pageant cast were invited. My mum was very proud and wished it was her. At 17 my friend I and were less impressed, especially as we had to wear a hat and white gloves, it was a requirement of the invitation.

We didn't speak to her, but saw her at close quarters

I have spoken to Princess Diana (beautiful, but even thinner in real life) at Kensington Palace , and seen Prince Charles (I remember he seemed short!) at close quarters when I worked at the Theatre Royal in York.

[Daisy]

No I haven't met the Queen, but my friend M met her at the New Forest Show one year. She helped with Riding for the Disabled and the Queen spent quite a while at their stand, given her interest in horses. The person in charge of the stand was introduced. M stood quietly in the background just watching, then the Queen suddenly made a bee-line for her and started to ask her about her involvement with the charity and was charming and knowledgeable about what they do.

I saw her at a great distance when she first came to the throne. There was some sort of celebration (I think it was held at Stoke City football ground) and I can only remember seeing her in the back of an open car or some sort. I think children who'd been involved with Coronation celebrations were invited, and I'd been in the choir for a concert.

I met Princess Anne, also at the New Forest Show, one year. She was visiting a stand and I was trying to take a photo of her, but one of her bodyguards was in the way. She noticed and asked him to move - and smiled for me! It wasn't a great photo, though, because I was so surprised.

[Plantaholic]

No I haven’t met the Queen but saw her on her Coronation Day. I was with hundreds of other school children on the Embankment. They announced over the Tannoy that Hillary and Tensing had conquered Everest.

[Nanto2girls]

Me and mam saw the Queen and Prince Philip when they visited our town during the 1977 Silver Jubilee tour of the country.
They were in an open top car. The Queen was wearing a turquoise and white outfit.
Prince Philip was wearing a dark suit.We were stood near the train station. Royalty were on their way to the Royal Train.
We could see the train from where we were.

[WeeGranny]

Saw them all at Ascot one year. It was when Diana was still part of the family! Saw Princess Margaret at Kong's Cross one evening catching the train to Sandringham.
The Queen came to my home town one year and the schoolchildren all went to welcome her, but I can't remember much about it. Obviously didn't have much of an impact on me!
I was struck by how small the Royal family are though!

[Gemini]

They are pretty short

[Sum1Ls]

Just found this. Yes I have. My friend and job-share partner and I were invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace to honour ‘excellence in education.’ Each borough in the UK had been asked to nominate five education professionals to go and M and I were two of them. It was back in 2001. The astonishment when the engraved invitation arrived! I thought at first it was a scam, but no.

Needless to say we both bought new outfits, and arrived at the Palace in M’s car (hers was much posher than mine). We arrived at the gates and were ushered in (the loos were a sight to behold!) and then up a grand staircase where there was a string quintet playing and the loveliest flower arrangements ever. Footmen and women circled the state room with the absolute best canapés you could imagine and very good wine indeed. There were teachers from all over - we spoke to one who had flown down from Orkney and another from Northern Ireland.

I also saw a fellow magistrate there and I exclaimed that I didn’t know she was a teacher. ‘I’m not’ she said ‘I’m one of the Queen’s Ladies in waiting’!

We knew we would have to describe every detail, so when we saw the Queen amongst all the other royals we made sure we edged our way to where she was progressing. I knew she would stop and talk to us as we are both a bit shorter than she. And sure enough, she did. She asked us about our school and the job share and said ‘the country needs more ladies like you two’. We spoke to the Duke too who chatted and said that if any pupils hadn’t ever listened to us. It was their own fault!

A most memorable day - we were interviewed in the local paper and on local radio.

And it was very nice for teachers to be affirmed and valued for once.

[Plantaholic]

Amazing day for you and your friend Sum

[Daisy]

Sum1 - what a wonderful recognition for you and your job-sharer friend. I bet you were susrprised when your fellow Magistrate said she was one of the Queen's Ladies in waiting. What a great memory.

[Debbiere]

Unfortunately, I have not been able to see anyone from the royal family in my entire life. Happy for you that you had such a great opportunity!