Milly Johnson

‘He made a little gaffe – a Prince Philip-ism’

Milly Johnson, 57, a romantic novelist, can still remember with perfect clarity the day in 1975 when she was given the day off school to mark a Royal visit from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. She headed to Barnsley town centre and queued to be at the front of the crowd, desperate to catch a glimpse of the couple. In her hand was a Union flag, which she waved vigorously, as did the hundreds of other well-wishers around her. Next to her was the “little old lady from next door”, who was equally excited.

“I can remember this so clearly. We were waiting for ages, we could hear all the cheers. Prince Philip and the Queen were coming from the right-hand side, and I thought: ‘Oh no, I’ve picked Prince Philip’s side, not the Queen’s side.’ I wanted to see her close up. I remember their faces; the pair of them were beaming. He was a very tall, handsome guy.”

The couple walked between the crowds, waving cheerily. Then, unexpectedly, the Duke made a beeline straight for Ms Johnson.

“Are you off school all day for this?” he asked, wagging his finger. Yes, she told him.

“I bet your mother’s thrilled about that, isn’t she?” the Duke said, his voice dripping in sarcasm, before returning to the Queen.

Ms Johnson burst out laughing; onlookers told her she’d been “honoured”. At first, she wondered if the comment was meant as an insult, but over the years the memory has “mellowed” in her mind. Now, she feels lucky to have witnessed the Duke’s famous wit. “I spoke to him and he made a little gaffe – a Prince Philip-ism,” she says. “It’s a very little story, but it’s a little special precious jewel to me.”