A rainy day was brightened

It was a rainy day in May 2019 when 23-year-old Petty Officer Ruth Hawes was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden

Party at the invitation of the Admiral of TS Windsor Castle.

“It absolutely tipped it down,” said mum, Alicia, who was and still is so proud of her daughter being recognised for her volunteering with Windsor and Eton Sea Cadets.

She added: “We took my mum, Rosemary Cameron-Kent, who was celebrating her 80th birthday that year. It was such a treat for her.”

When it started to rain, the group of four, which also included Ruth’s sister, 19-yearold Emily, stayed out in the open as everyone rushed for cover in the tent.

“We didn’t want to be with the masses,” said Alicia.

“We just wanted to take in the surroundings and enjoy it while we could.”

That sensible decision led to their party being addressed by a Buckingham Palace official who asked them if they would like to meet the Queen.

“He asked us what we do and got a bit of background,” said Alicia.

“He made notes in a little book and then went away. But before he did he turned and said: ‘You will be selected to speak with Her Majesty.’

“We couldn’t believe it.

“It was an amazing day for Ruth, to be thanked for all of her commitment to the sea cadets, but it was also amazing for my mum.

“She was speechless and thrilled to bits that she got to meet the Queen. As were we.

“Mum spoke to Her Majesty about remembering the parties after her royal wedding and Ruth spoke to Her Majesty about the time she met her husband, Prince Phillip, when he visited the sea cadet unit.

‘Oh, I’ll have to ask him about that’ Her Majesty mentioned.

Alicia added: “We then talked about Thames Hospice, where Ruth worked. At the time the new building was going up in Bray and her Majesty said what a wonderful organisation it was and that she’ll ‘have to go and visit’.”

Alicia recalls it as a special day and when asked about the cucumber sandwiches she replied: “We didn’t get any at all. We made that decision to stay out in the rain and it led to us chatting with the Queen!”