'The day I met the Queen' - people across Bucks, Beds and Herts share their stories
2nd June 2022 marks 70 years since the monarch acceded to the throne.
Last updated 1st Jun 2022
People across Bucks, Beds and Herts are sharing their stories of times when they met Queen Elizabeth II in the run up to the Platinum Jubilee.
2nd June 2022 marks 70 years since the monarch acceded to the throne.
Marian Ovey-Barnet is a retired restauranter from Stevenage. She remembers the time where she met the Queen in 2004 at the opening of the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park.
“I went up very early and managed to get in front of the queue. The Queen came along with Prince William, and I think Prince Harry was there as well.”
Marian said she didn’t get to properly speak to the Queen, but she did compliment her outfit.
“It felt lovely to be that close the the Queen”, she said. “It’s an honour and a privilege.”
Zena Kiff is also from Hertfordshire, and she met the Queen back in 2012 whilst working at a Special Needs School on a school trip.
“She was very petite, I was quite surprised at that,” Zena said.
She shares one entertaining moment from the meeting which stays in her mind: “The children all had little bouquets to give to her, so one young man handed them to her."
"I was surprised because she was smiling and talking to him, but she just lifted her arm up with the bouquet and the lady in waiting was standing behind her and just took it off her. The Queen didn’t even have to look back.”
“It was lovely, and the children were very excited”.