So many memories. Places, events – even just simple objects. One of the first books I ever had was a lovely book about the Queen. I was about four.
When I was slightly older, my class was taken to Hooton Railway Station to watch Her Majesty to go back on the Royal Train to London. It was a dark evening with torrential rain and we didn’t have coats. There was only the shelter of a hedge. We saw the Rolls Royce flash by as we clapped but we didn’t see Her Majesty.
Two hours later we went home. We didn’t have a television then, to try and catch a later glimpse of either her or ourselves.
I was 19, the next time. 20 of us lined up along Ramsay Bay where the Royal Yacht Britannia was moored. All of us keen to see the Queen, Prince Phillip, Charles and Anne. I had made a little velvet dress for Anne and a shirt for Charles. They chatted to us and we were delighted. In those days we didn’t have mobile phones and cameras. A day to remember.
My third royal encounter was at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum on the Manchester Ship Canal, near the River Mersey. My brother was very involved, his pupils had devised much of the programme. Again, I got a handshake. This time I was 25.
Years later, I was invited to Buckingham Palace, in recognition of my 16 years as the headteacher at The Cotswold School.
All we can do now is pray for Her Majesty, her family and her citizens. And remember her willingness to support her family and her kingdom.
