Knowing the Queen on a personal basis
Many people in the Royal Borough will have caught a glimpse of the Queen during her many royal engagements over the years, but what is it like to meet or even work for Her Majesty? Shay Bottomley and Melissa Paulden spoke to two residents with a royal sto
An Advertiser reader has fondly remembered her father’s time working for the Queen as we prepare to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
Tracy Cronin got in touch after we put a call out on social media for residents to get in touch with memories of Her Majesty.
Tracy’s father, Kevin, 78years-old, is a former fireman and policeman.
After leaving the public services, Kevin became a security guard at Mars Confectionary in Slough, where he worked until his retirement from the company in 1996.
In 1998, Kevin became a warden at Windsor Castle.
After a number of years, he was ‘headhunted’ to become a Greencoat at Royal Ascot.
In what is now a largely ceremonial role, the Greencoats consist of handpicked guards to escort the monarch every year at the horse racing festival.
Also known as Yeoman Prickers, the Greencoats wore velvet unifroms originally made form material left over from curtains in Windsor Castle, making them very heavy and uncomfortable in warmer conditions.
Every year, after enduring the hot temperatures at Royal Ascot, the Greencoats are invited to tea with the Queen to celebrate another successful festival.
As such, Tracy said her father would soon know Her Majesty on a personal basis despite only meeting annually, adding that she was ‘down to earth and very approachable’.
“He said she’s lovely,” explained Tracy. “She’s just really, really nice, and she never forgot who anyone was.
“Because of his role he would often meet a lot of the Royal Family at the castle or Royal Ascot.
“Dad tells me his stories about the Royal Family all the time, and one day at Royal Ascot he spoke to Prince
Philip who replied, ‘don’t worry, it will all be over soon’,” Tracy chuckled.
Kevin worked for the Greencoats until 2013, before retiring after a lifetime in public service.