When The Queen was all aquiver with her bodyguards

GOOD to see the Queen looking so relaxed, and she can really rock those sunglasses. Surely the smile is not caused by the splendidly attired chap behind her tickling her with an eagle’s feather?

The Queen is in Edinburgh in 1956 accompanied by members of the Royal Company of Archers, her official bodyguard in Scotland. But not the real bodyguard obviously. That’s provided by earnest men with earpieces scanning the crowd around her.

No, the Royal Company of Archers is actually a posh club in Edinburgh full of lords, bankers, and chaps who also play golf at Muirfield and belong to the New Club. It does have annual archery contests, though, so folk who know how to send an arrow into a target are encouraged to join so the contests are not a complete farce.

And even though you have to dress up like the lid of a shortbread tin, you do get to meet the Queen, so membership is eagerly sought.

The Herald’s former Assistant Editor Alistair Phillips once told of a tram conductress in Edinburgh attempting to collect a fare from one of the company returning home from a ceremonial appearance. “Eh, Robin Hood,’’ she is reported to have requested. “Would you take your quiver oot my face.’’

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