Published in Windlesora 38 (2024)
© WLHG
With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September 2022, I will have witnessed the passing of three monarchs, and have now seen my third coronation, that of King Charles III. Although I was only five years old, I remember being lifted up onto a van outside Burton’s shop at the top of Peascod Street, to watch the funeral procession of King George V. But I was only interested in seeing my father in the parade, he was a senior NCO in the Regiment of Life Guard, stationed in Combermere Barracks.
A year later, we were living in Knightsbridge barracks. On 12 May 1937, 1 watched my father getting ready to take part in the coronation of the late Queen’s father, George VI. He put on his splendid uniform and highly polished boots. As he made his way down to see to his horse, I followed him and sat on the stairs where I could look down into the stables area. There was a tremendous buzz about the place as mounted soldiers from Canada and India joined the Household Cavalry for the big day. I looked in awe at the multitude of soldiers in exotic uniforms, the splendidly arrayed horses, hearing shouted words of command, some in strange accents, mingled with the sound of trumpets and drums, the signal for moving off.
Geoffrey Goody
The first time I saw Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was back in 1962. My late husband was serving with the Grenadier Guards, and Her Majesty was going to inspect Queen’s Company in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The wives were invited to watch, and on my invitation it said: ‘All ladies must wear hats, gloves and stockings‘. What, nothing else?
I have seen the Queen many times over the years, on her way to Ascot Races, at the Horse Show, at the Garter Service, at her garden parties, at the Guildhall on her 90th birthday, where she spoke to each one of the invited guests who shared her birth year, but my big day was on 9 December 2011. As chair of the Friends of the Museum, I had the great honour of escorting Her Majesty when she came to open the museum in the Guildhall. We were told beforehand to wear what we were comfortable in (how times have changed). As we examined the military display, the Queen was informed that I was an expert on the British army. She looked at me quizzically, but I said, ‘Ma’am, you know more about your army than I ever will‘. After unveiling a plaque and promising that this museum will not be closed again, the Queen left through the museum door; the mayor, councillors and I stood in the doorway to the Guildhall to wave her goodbye. The Queen walked past us towards the royal car, but suddenly turned back, came towards us, and shook my hand, saying ‘thank you very much‘. I, of course, was lost for words.
Dr Brigitte Mitchell
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