Memories of the Queen

Watching the moving State Funeral of the Queen I wondered what memories would stay with us. Perhaps it will be of the Queen’s fell pony standing so still in the Long Walk at Windsor among those carpets of flowers, or the huge quiet crowds watching in The Mall.
My memories of the funeral procession for George VI, as a child of seven amongst that large crowd, was the sound of the horses’ hooves and marching feet. I was frightened of those big black horses pulling the gun carriage.

The Queen’s Coronation in June 1953 was a thrilling day. At Trafalgar Square tube station the news stands proclaimed the climbing of Everest. We watched the pageantry from an office in Northumberland Avenue, the only place from which the procession could be viewed three times! I will never forget the Queen of Tonga happily waving from her open carriage in the rain. Along with most of the nation, we watched the Coronation Service on a black and white television.

Walking home from school one day a policeman showed me the best vantage point to see the Queen’s car returning to Buckingham Palace. I was excited that the Queen waved to me. Also I remember seeing the Queen wearing a cobalt hat in an open-topped carriage with General de Gaulle in the Mall and on another occasion when she left Buckingham Palace for the Opening of Parliament.
Years later Roddy and I went to Buckingham Palace for a garden party.