Care home gets its own Royal visitor in shape of 82- year- old volunteer Judith

A YORK care home is receiving Royal treatment thanks to the expertise of a resident who used to be the Queen’s personal waitress.

Handley House welcomed former Buckingham Palace Housekeeper Judith Gray in February and the 82- year- old has been volunteering one morning a week with the housekeeping team, cleaning the home and setting tables ahead of mealtimes, ensuring the napkins are folded and keeping cutlery polished.

She even has her own Handley House uniform and name badge.

Mrs Gray grew up in York, left school aged 14 and began working as a trainee waitress at the exclusive Royal Station Hotel, now The Principal York Hotel.

She excelled at her role and was headhunted by Buckingham Palace, where she met her husband of 65 years Chaz Gray, to work as the Queen’s personal waitress.

She said: “It was my privilege to work for the Queen, it was such an interesting job and an extraordinary place to work. “The Queen is a wonderful person and I was able to really get to know her in the years I served her. She is very kind, caring and well- mannered.”

Mrs Gray has been entertaining staff at Handley House with her memories of her years spent working at the Palace.

Head of housekeeping Daniel Richardson said: “Judy is an absolute delight to have around the home and gives us a brilliant boost when she is ‘ on shift’.

“She has been a great help, giving us all her best tips and tricks that she learnt from her time at the Palace.”