Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2021 6:45:14 GMT
With all the publicity surrounding the book "Finding Freedom, Maghan and Harry" and their Oprah interview, I thought I'd write a reminiscence about the time I went to Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen.
When my husband, was Leader of West Lyndsey District Council, he was invited to a Royal Garden Party. The invitation arrived in a posh envelope and when Burt handed it to me I was amazed to see that I was included in the invite. Excitedly I studied the details of the envelope. On the front were the words Office of the Lord Chamberlain and in the upper right hand were the words Buckingham Palace, London. Along with the invitations were instructions as to what to wear. The Lord Chamberlain stated that he had been commanded by Her Majesty to invite Burt Keimach and his wife to a Royal Garden Party at the Palace. The Lord Chamberlain is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household. He is a Peer of the Realm and Privy Councillor. He is also the chief functionary of the court who is generally responsible for organising all court functions. We both had to don day clothes and women were obliged to wear a hat. We were also told not to bring cameras or mobile phones. I had never worn a hat, so clearly my first errand was to go to Lincoln in order to purchase the headgear. Well I searched and searched but couldn't find a suitable one. I hadn't realised how small my head was. Also I had to get a hat to match my outfit. Luckily I didn't have to purchase my dress and jacket as I intended to use use the outfit I'd bought for my son's wedding. I'd only worn it once. Anyway I finally managed to find a suitable hat in Grinsby to wear for the big occasion. On the day Burt and I were picked up in a large Jaguar provided by the council. We had been told that we would be taken to lunch and could change there if necessary. The driver was a really nice man and it was to his cousin's house in London that we were taken.. After a delicious meal I got changed into my clothes and we were driven to Buckingham Palace. The driver parked on the Mall and my husband and I walked up to the Palace gates. We showed the guard our invitation and were told to go through the doors straight ahead. We entered Buckingham Palace and walked right through to the enormous gardens on the other side. The magnificent garden sit on 42 acres and is filled with colour. At the bottom of the sweeping lawn is a lake. Weeping willow branches gently grazed the water and ducks were flying free .
In the garden we saw many people walking among the flower beds or sitting on the grass. We were told that as soon as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived there would be an announcement over the loud speakers. We decided to wonder around this beautiful place. At the edges of the garden some tents had been set up with an abundance of refreshments. We took a few cakes and sandwiches and a cup of tea each. I read later that the guests at the Queen's Garden Party consume more than twenty seven thousand cups of tea, as well as more than twenty thousand carefully trimmed sandwiches and about the same number of small cakes and slices of large cakes. Burt and I took our refreshments and settled down on the grass by the lake. In spite of being in the middle of London we heard no traffic and all seemed peaceful and calm. About 40 minutes later we were told that the Royal couple had arrived, Kate and William were there too, but they remained at the steps of the Palace. Then a military band played the National Anthem and the Queen and her husband emerged from the Bow Room and slowly proceeded through the ranks of assembled guests greeting those in the front row, who had previously been selected for the honour. The pair then walked to their private tea tent at the bottom of the garden. I had been standing in the second row so I had an excellent view of proceedings. After that the crowd dispersed, some going to get more food others to wander around some more. I had to go to the loo and was very impressed by the impressive toilets. Eventually the Royal pair emerged from their tent and made their way back to the Palace. The band then played the National Anthem again and then the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were gone. Burt and I decided to leave as well and we joined the people making for the exit. We made our way to where our car was parked and the driver brought us home. I really enjoyed my day out to Buckingham Palace.
I do have some sympathy for the Queen. The throne was thrust upon her reluctant father when his brother abdicated the throne. Elizabeth, as the oldest daughter became Queen when her father died. Whether one is a republican who wants the end of the monarchy or a monarchist, one can admire the way the Queen tried to do her best for her country. I felt even sorrier for her when I was regaled by stories of her philandering husband Philip, by friends of his. I had neighbours in France who knew Philip well. Today at 94 years old the Queen must find it difficult to face what is happening to her offspring, Charles and Diana, Andrew and Koo, Andrew and Sarah, Andrew and Epstein, Harry and Meghan. The Queen must have nightmares.
When my husband, was Leader of West Lyndsey District Council, he was invited to a Royal Garden Party. The invitation arrived in a posh envelope and when Burt handed it to me I was amazed to see that I was included in the invite. Excitedly I studied the details of the envelope. On the front were the words Office of the Lord Chamberlain and in the upper right hand were the words Buckingham Palace, London. Along with the invitations were instructions as to what to wear. The Lord Chamberlain stated that he had been commanded by Her Majesty to invite Burt Keimach and his wife to a Royal Garden Party at the Palace. The Lord Chamberlain is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household. He is a Peer of the Realm and Privy Councillor. He is also the chief functionary of the court who is generally responsible for organising all court functions. We both had to don day clothes and women were obliged to wear a hat. We were also told not to bring cameras or mobile phones. I had never worn a hat, so clearly my first errand was to go to Lincoln in order to purchase the headgear. Well I searched and searched but couldn't find a suitable one. I hadn't realised how small my head was. Also I had to get a hat to match my outfit. Luckily I didn't have to purchase my dress and jacket as I intended to use use the outfit I'd bought for my son's wedding. I'd only worn it once. Anyway I finally managed to find a suitable hat in Grinsby to wear for the big occasion. On the day Burt and I were picked up in a large Jaguar provided by the council. We had been told that we would be taken to lunch and could change there if necessary. The driver was a really nice man and it was to his cousin's house in London that we were taken.. After a delicious meal I got changed into my clothes and we were driven to Buckingham Palace. The driver parked on the Mall and my husband and I walked up to the Palace gates. We showed the guard our invitation and were told to go through the doors straight ahead. We entered Buckingham Palace and walked right through to the enormous gardens on the other side. The magnificent garden sit on 42 acres and is filled with colour. At the bottom of the sweeping lawn is a lake. Weeping willow branches gently grazed the water and ducks were flying free .
In the garden we saw many people walking among the flower beds or sitting on the grass. We were told that as soon as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived there would be an announcement over the loud speakers. We decided to wonder around this beautiful place. At the edges of the garden some tents had been set up with an abundance of refreshments. We took a few cakes and sandwiches and a cup of tea each. I read later that the guests at the Queen's Garden Party consume more than twenty seven thousand cups of tea, as well as more than twenty thousand carefully trimmed sandwiches and about the same number of small cakes and slices of large cakes. Burt and I took our refreshments and settled down on the grass by the lake. In spite of being in the middle of London we heard no traffic and all seemed peaceful and calm. About 40 minutes later we were told that the Royal couple had arrived, Kate and William were there too, but they remained at the steps of the Palace. Then a military band played the National Anthem and the Queen and her husband emerged from the Bow Room and slowly proceeded through the ranks of assembled guests greeting those in the front row, who had previously been selected for the honour. The pair then walked to their private tea tent at the bottom of the garden. I had been standing in the second row so I had an excellent view of proceedings. After that the crowd dispersed, some going to get more food others to wander around some more. I had to go to the loo and was very impressed by the impressive toilets. Eventually the Royal pair emerged from their tent and made their way back to the Palace. The band then played the National Anthem again and then the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were gone. Burt and I decided to leave as well and we joined the people making for the exit. We made our way to where our car was parked and the driver brought us home. I really enjoyed my day out to Buckingham Palace.
I do have some sympathy for the Queen. The throne was thrust upon her reluctant father when his brother abdicated the throne. Elizabeth, as the oldest daughter became Queen when her father died. Whether one is a republican who wants the end of the monarchy or a monarchist, one can admire the way the Queen tried to do her best for her country. I felt even sorrier for her when I was regaled by stories of her philandering husband Philip, by friends of his. I had neighbours in France who knew Philip well. Today at 94 years old the Queen must find it difficult to face what is happening to her offspring, Charles and Diana, Andrew and Koo, Andrew and Sarah, Andrew and Epstein, Harry and Meghan. The Queen must have nightmares.
