Eamonn O’Neal

SO there we were, sitting on the Londonbound train, me in my suit and tie and Sheila in her navy dress and fascinator (what a ridiculous word for a small, cock-eyed hat).

We were quietly excited at having been invited to Buckingham Palace for the Royal Garden Party. Get us! Two scallies, sorry socialites, from Wythenshawe hobnobbing with royalty.

Having cleared security, we walked through the iconic grand entrance, across the famous courtyard, up the red-carpeted steps and out into the back garden.

I obviously knew we wouldn’t be the only ones there but I was surprised at just how many guests had turned up – we estimated anything between five and seven thousand.

Luckily Her Majesty’s back garden is about the size of Tatton Park so there was plenty of room for everyone.

It was a relaxed couple of hours with very little in the way of formalities.

The Queen was announced with the National Anthem then she wandered round chatting to some pre-selected guests before taking tea in the royal tent.

Meanwhile, Sheila and I were taking tea in the not-so-royal tent enjoying a brew and a delicate plateful of cucumber sandwiches.

Then it was back to Euston and back to reality on a packed Virgin train.