A Royal Memory

 

I have never, unfortunately, had the honour of an introduction to the Queen.  Of course, a framed scroll on my office wall reminds me that Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of GREAT BRITAIN and NORTHERN IRELAND and of Her OTHER REALMS AND TERRITORIES QUEEN, HEAD of the COMMONWEALTH, DEFENDER of the FAITH, addressing me as “Our Trusty and Well Beloved,” appointed me as an Officer in the Royal Air Force.  On the eve of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations I recall, about the time of the Silver milestone, the closest I came to Her Majesty.

The late 1970s were turbulent; industrial action including petty wildcat strikes was widespread, inflation was rampant, unemployment was pitifully high and the economy bumped along on the bottom as Great Britain lived up to he title of “the sick man of Europe.”  Wages lagged well behind prices, particularly in the Armed Forces.  It was said that a front-line fighter pilot earned less than a guard on the London Underground, whether at work or on strike.  At Royal Air Force Marham, where we happily stationed at the time, the Station Commander was shocked to receive a letter from a highly qualified Corporal technician begging the Group Captain to support his application to be released from his engagement because, on his present wages, he could not meet the basic outgoings for his family. Nevertheless, even as we approached the “Winter of Discontent,” morale was surprisingly good and was boosted when Her Majesty paid an official visit to the Station.

For those of us not scheduled to meet the Queen during the tour, the highlight of the day was an official lunch in the Officers’ Mess attended by the Station executives, Officers, and their Ladies.  Lunch was delightful and went like clockwork, thanks to the superb Mess staff we had in those days.  After lunch, unusually, Her Majesty consented to joining the Station Executives for a group photograph.  Peter Beer, OC 57 Squadron at the time but formally and Equerry to Her Majesty was probably responsible for pulling strings and setting up the selfie of a lifetime!

So there we were, arranged in pleasing order at the West end of the Ante Room, with 5 of us standing at the back and 4 seated at the front with a vacant seat in the centre, all ready for her arrival.  Her Majesty duly arrived and took her place.  Immediately, the Corporal photographer pressed the shutter release and took one step back to indicate that his work was done.

“Is that it,” inquired Her Majesty?

“Yes Ma’am,” replied the Corporal, adding, “I’ve been told to get it right first time.”

“I think you’d better take another one,” replied the Queen, “just in case don’t you think?”

A wonderful memory of a very special day and I hope you have a lovely weekend Ma’am!