‘I WAS A GUEST AT THE QUEEN’S CORONATION’
Forget The Crown, the PM’S daughter had a front-row seat to a special day
Iwas very lucky to have the chance of being in England this year and it was all so wonderful! I wish every other girl in Australia could have shared it,” wrote 24-year-old Heather Menzies, daughter of Australian PM Robert Menzies in 1953, in an eyewitness account exclusive to Woman’s Day.
“Fifty thousand Australians were in London for the Coronation, I believe. I feel certain every one of us was deeply moved and inspired by the glory and grandeur we saw in the heart of the Empire.”
Today, 65 years on, Heather is a sharp-witted 90-year-old. She remembers the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, as a oncein-a-lifetime moment.
“I do remember feeling such a galoot wearing my long blue satin dress in the daytime,” she laughs. Of seeing the Queen she adds, “I’ll never forget how tiny, beautiful and, although she was surrounded by people, how alone she looked. Her dress glowed and glittered and on it were embroidered the floral emblems of the English countries and the Commonwealth nations, including our own wattle.”
Besides the grand occasion, there was a week of celebrations during which Heather met Prince Philip and Princess Margaret, and took tea with the Queen Mother.
When Heather wed diplomat Peter Henderson in 1955, Buckingham Palace sent best wishes. Heather and Peter, who became parents to four daughters, grandparents and then great-grandparents, settled down in Canberra when Peter’s career in diplomacy ended.
Sadly, Heather lost Peter in 2016. Her father, who called her his “one great unalloyed joy” died in 1978.
Today, Heather says she keeps herself busy in her garden and with her family and is lucky enough to enjoy good health.
“It’s been an extraordinary life,” she says. “Both as dad’s daughter and with my husband because life with a diplomat can be quite crazy, too.”
Of course, Heather still greatly admires the Queen. “It’s astonishing that she’s done one job all her life and done it so incredibly well, I’m not aware of her ever putting a foot wrong. I think she’s extraordinary.”
Heather is also a fan of the younger royals – especially Princes William and Harry. “William’s a wonderful family man and Harry’s got such spunk,” she says. “I’m a huge fan.”