I met the Queen today.

Fashion

15 May

Written By

"I met the Queen today" - this is something I never expected to say. I've worked with designer Alice Palmer for several seasons and she was invited to participate in Fashion Capital's "London as a Global Centre of Fashion" Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Bromley. Alice invited her PR Alison Lowe, her assistant and me to the event - we refer to ourselves as "Team Alice!" We knew the Queen would pass by the pod and there was the possibility that she would stop and say hello - but the most we hoped was that Queen would say hello to Alice.

We were sent a letter about protocol: "when you first address the Queen you refer to her as 'Your Majesty' and ladies you must curtsy and men bow their heads. Only shake her hand if she puts her hand out first. After this you then refer to her as MAM (think of Jam or Ham)."

We all practised our curtsy.

It's easy to know that the Queen is en route as you can the cheering of the crowds as her car comes closer, and as she steps out of her car there is a huge hip hip hooray and a rush of emotion came over me - again something I didn't expect. Within moments the Queen is in our pod and Jenny Holloway, director of Fashion Capital is presenting Alice to the Queen and they are chatting about Alice's knitwear. We are all then introduced to the Queen, gushing and shaking her hand - the moment is fleeting and all I can remember is how beautful her skin is and that you feel she's really looking at you.

It was quite an unreal day.