Published in Windlesora 24 (2008)
©WLHG
One day in early summer 1947 when I was in my final year at the Royal Free Junior School, class proceedings were interrupted by a visit from the Mayor of Windsor, Alderman Fuzzens, escorted by our Headmaster, Mr Frome. All the class rose to attention, as we did in those days, but the boys were told to be seated.
The girls were scrutinised by the Mayor and three of us including myself were picked out. We were then told that Princess Elizabeth, who had recently celebrated her twenty-first birthday, was to be admitted to the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Windsor and one of us was to present a bouquet to her. Mr Fuzzens had chosen our school for the honour because in his boyhood he had attended the Royal Free School.
I was the first choice and the reason for this I think was my typically English colouring and sturdiness. My understudy was Freda, a fair-haired dainty girl and the third choice was Marlene who had luscious black ringlets. I can think of no other reason for selecting us!
My mother then had the problem of assembling my outfit for the day which had to be all in white. This was 1947 and there were severe restrictions still in place as to the availability of things we take for granted now. Firstly, she was able to purchase some white silk-like material, and a dressmaker in Slough made up my dress. White socks, gloves and hair ribbon were found but a problem arose with my footwear. Nowhere could we find white shoes or sandals so I ended up wearing red sandals!
The next problem with three working class girls was the curtsey. We were sent to the Castle to meet Lady Cockcraft, who lived in a grace and favour dwelling opposite St. George’s Chapel. She kindly taught us the correct position to adopt.
Finally the speech:-
‘Your Royal Highness, on behalf of the Royal Borough of Windsor may I present you with this bouquet. Will you please accept it as a token of the love and affection which we all hold for you.’
– learnt so well that I have never forgotten it.
The day arrived; it was a Saturday in July and the weather was fine. An official car arrived to collect me and take me to the Home Park Recreation Ground.
I now read in my clip from the Windsor Express that thousands of people had gathered to greet Her Royal Highness and that the route from her car to the dais was lined with a Guard of Honour, consisting of many local organisations. On a platform near the dais the massed bands of the Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards played. After passing a resolution to grant the Freedom of the Borough to Princess Elizabeth the various dignitaries including Mayor Fuzzens, his daughter Mayoress Elizabeth Fuzzens, the Earl of Athlone, the Recorder and the Town Clerk, not forgetting myself went to meet the Royal car.
All I can remember is the scent of the sweet-peas and carnations in the bouquet and looking into HRH’s eyes and making my speech, not forgetting to curtsey.
The procession then returned to the dais where the honour was to be bestowed. Various speeches were made about the close ties of the Royal Family to Windsor, the Princesses having spent the war years in the Castle.
‘The resolution bestowing the Freedom of the Borough was read by the Town Clerk; the Princess read the Declaration and signed the Freedom book. The scroll recording the admission, enclosed in a casket of Windsor Oak, was presented to her. Mayor Fuzzens made an affectionate speech, reciprocated by HRH.
Three cheers were given and all repaired to the tea tent.
I do remember the tea tent where Freda and I enjoyed the buffet in those days of rationing. We stood a few yards from Princess Elizabeth as she was being entertained by the dignitaries and their ladies. Apparently it was all over by 4:30 p.m.
On the following Monday, Mayor Fuzzens came to my school and presented me with a book entitled Queen of Tomorrow, endorsed with his thanks which I still treasure not least because he was such a warm-hearted and public spirited man.
Valerie Mason (née Lovell)
Footnote: I was so pleased to discover a film of the event in the Pathé News Archives on-line a few years ago as I missed the original news-reel at the cinema.
Windsor Local History Group 