I {HEART} HRH

I have had numerous wonderful experiences in my four years living in England, and one that will rank right up there no matter how many years go by is standing inches away from the Queen. Yes, that one, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. So close I could have reached out to touch her. So close that I suddenly transformed from fifty-something adult to giddy girl, gawping at her, waving my two-quid Union Jack on a plastic holder.

HRH was coming to Cowes to dedicate the new RNLI lifeboat station, adjacent to the Island Sailing Club, and to unveil a plaque along the Parade to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee visit. There was to be a parade of sail from Gurnard, just west of Cowes, where she would glide by on the Solent on board the 246-foot super yacht Leander, a whacking great vessel that just says majesty. (It was loaned to HRH by Sir Donald Gosling, former owner of National Car Parks aka NCP.) As the yacht passed the Royal Yacht Squadron, a 21-gun salute from the polished cannons sitting at waterside would begin. The royal party—Prince Philip was with HRH—would then walk up Trinity Landing, greet some of the local important people, and then head east on the Parade to dedicate the plaque, listen to local children sing, launch the lifeboat, and finally pick up a launch at the Cowes Yacht Haven to head back to London.

The plans were announced several months ago, and I decided as a part-time resident of Cowes that I should be there. I blocked the date on my work calendar. My friend Kim, a full-time resident of Cowes, had the itinerary at hand and we spoke on Tuesday evening to set our plan: queuing up on the Parade at 7 am, almost three hours ahead of the Queen’s arrival, to be assured of a good position to see her.

When we arrived there were already several people lined up against the barrier, and we decided to stand near the plaque as we knew the Queen would stop there to unveil it. A lovely family with two little girls had decamped with a blanket, folding chairs, folding prams and assorted bags of food, toys, and other distractions for the wait. We came alongside them, figuring that we could sidle up to the barrier when the Queen arrived, get a photo, and be happy.

It all came together perfectly—and on time. We saw Leander approaching, and then heard the 21-gun salute; the distance from the Squadron to where we were standing is not far; in fact from where we were standing we could certainly see the RYS castle.

I must say, the anticipation was palpable—by the time the hour was approaching for the Queen’s arrival the crowd was several deep, wondering what colour she’d be wearing, and how the Duke would be dressed, and who else would be accompanying them. As she stepped on the launch we caught a glimpse of the Queen’s apricot outfit. The crowd was cheering. I was feeling a bit, well, thrilled.

We could see her walk up the landing, and stop to greet the IoW VIPs who were lined up to curtsy or shake hands. The Duke was looking dapper in a lovely grey suit. Then, suddenly, they were in front of us, and Kim and I were able to move a bit closer to the barrier to snap a photo. One of the little girls next to us, called Grace, handed the Queen a posy, and she smiled and accepted it. I was still gawping, though I did manage to point my camera phone and click—and inadvertently took a 2-second video which you can watch, here (hopefully it works):

Kim managed a few photos with her camera, thankfully, and I recovered and took some, too.

We watched as HRH tugged the sash just a few feet in front of us to pull the red curtain open and reveal the plaque. Applause, more flag waving, and a bit of woo-hooing ensued. When the royal party moved away from us to hear the children sing, Kim and I made an attempt to follow through the throngs, but by the time we approached the area the song had been sung and the Queen and the Duke moved into the shade of the RNLI station, where speeches were being given. Fortunately there was a big screen mounted just outside the RNLI, and we were able to see and hear what was going on.

It was hot, and we were in tight quarters with people all around us, but it didn’t matter—it was fantastic. Kim and I kept exclaiming how really thrilled we were to have been so close, and to just be there to be a part of the Diamond Jubilee celebration. When it was over we walked the short distance back to Harbour House and I made us coffee—it was just after 11 am and a long time since breakfast, but not quite lunch time—more time to “debrief” and also just catch up a bit with our lives. We decided to head out and see if we could watch Leander leave, and we did catch a glimpse of the yacht heading back toward Southampton.

When my friend Sarah saw my photos she said “You’re so American.” I suppose my enthusiasm for something so British is not so British—but not everyone is reserved here, and some are even royalists! I do suppose that I was a bit more effusive in my enthusiasm than some—though judging from the crowd around me, we were all quite enthralled with the Queen’s visit. How lucky am I? Earlier this year I was dining with the Duke at a bar yacht club dinner, courtesy of Tim, and now this chance to see HRH close up. She reminds me of my grandmother. She is amazing for 86. She is always regal, ever personable, and, simply, elegant.

You might guess, then, what my favourite part of the Olympics opening ceremony was , , , the Queen's  perfect delivery of the line “Good evening, Mr Bond.”

What’s not to love?