A date at Buckingham Palace
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Sarah Vine, who was a guest at the state banquet for President Trump, that royal events are meticulously choreographed.
I was privileged to attend a recent Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. I was invited for my services to the community — I was nominated for setting up the Totnes County/High School Reunion Association 20 years ago, reuniting 850 school friends from all over the world.
Despite the fact 8,000 guests arrived at the Palace at the same time, the security checks were quick and we were welcomed into the palace by the Coldstream Guards and the Gentlemen of the Royal Household.
The afternoon was organised to perfection, from the Yeoman of the Guard taking up their positions and seamlessly forming ‘lanes’ ready to greet the ten members of the Royal Family who attended, to the serving of a delicious afternoon tea.
The sun shone, bands played, the Royal Family mingled with the guests and there were no queues.
I was fortunate to be in the front row of the ‘lane’ that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked down.
I joined the line of guests to see the Queen, the Cambridges, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Andrew, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they left the royal tea tent.
Sarah is quite right, no one does these special occasions like the Queen, her family and the Royal Household.
Being guests at a Royal Garden Party will be a day my husband and I will never forget. SHEILA SHARP, Paignton, Devon.