Seventeen hundred trestle tables had been laid out on the Mall in readiness for the Royal Street Party celebrations marking the Queen’s 90th birthday.
It was a very British affair and typically perhaps it rained but those of us who were among the 10,000 on The Mall simply shrugged it off. We put on our ponchos and just got on with having a good time while waiting for our QueenThe rain eased eventually and the sun shone as the Her Majesty and Prince Philip appeared and drove down The Mall in their open topped Range Rover. Later the Royal family watched the parade from their royal box.
We saluted our Sovereign by singing "Happy Birthday," as she slowly drove past and we waved our Union Jacks with a great cheer!
The picnic was the grand finale of a weekend of official events marking the Queen’s milestone birthday which we celebrated with other representatives of the 600 organisations that have the Queen as their Royal Patron.
Speaking from the heart, Her Majesty came to the microphone and thanked us for our support and encouragement. Following several weeks of celebrations and special events she made us laugh as she said:-
"How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday in December remains to be seen".
Before the Queen's arrival, other members of the Royal Family strolled along the edge of the crowds. Prince William, his wife Kate, and Prince Harry shook hands, patted the tops of children's heads and found themselves framed in countless selfies.
Prince William said to the crowd:
“Thank you so much for showing that the great British public doesn’t let a little rain spoil a good day out”.
He said a personal thank you to the Queen from the family:
“Granny, thank you for everything you have done for your family. We could not wish you a happier birthday.”
The organisation was orchestrated by the Queens grandson Peter Phillips, who was seen to be much relieved after it was all over!
Note: The above account was adapted from an AP Press Release - Ed.
It was a very British affair and typically perhaps it rained but those of us who were among the 10,000 on The Mall simply shrugged it off. We put on our ponchos and just got on with having a good time while waiting for our QueenThe rain eased eventually and the sun shone as the Her Majesty and Prince Philip appeared and drove down The Mall in their open topped Range Rover. Later the Royal family watched the parade from their royal box.
We saluted our Sovereign by singing "Happy Birthday," as she slowly drove past and we waved our Union Jacks with a great cheer!
The picnic was the grand finale of a weekend of official events marking the Queen’s milestone birthday which we celebrated with other representatives of the 600 organisations that have the Queen as their Royal Patron.
Speaking from the heart, Her Majesty came to the microphone and thanked us for our support and encouragement. Following several weeks of celebrations and special events she made us laugh as she said:-
"How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday in December remains to be seen".
Before the Queen's arrival, other members of the Royal Family strolled along the edge of the crowds. Prince William, his wife Kate, and Prince Harry shook hands, patted the tops of children's heads and found themselves framed in countless selfies.
Prince William said to the crowd:
“Thank you so much for showing that the great British public doesn’t let a little rain spoil a good day out”.
He said a personal thank you to the Queen from the family:
“Granny, thank you for everything you have done for your family. We could not wish you a happier birthday.”
The organisation was orchestrated by the Queens grandson Peter Phillips, who was seen to be much relieved after it was all over!
Note: The above account was adapted from an AP Press Release - Ed.
Edwina Holden and Jenny Morris were responsible for arranging tickets and getting the ROCA contingent together. Edwina takes up her story here:-
"The early morning of Sunday 12 June was dry for most before we made our way to London. However, it was not to be, when we arrived in London it was raining and we were very wet by the time we arrived on The Mall to receive our ponchos, which turned out to be very substantial. We had been told not to bring umbrellas, some did but were very good about not using them once we were seated. The airport-type security meant some delays but we had been advised to ‘bring our great British spirit with us, whatever the weather’ so that is what we did !
We were given goody bags by Boots which included many items including sun cream (!), and a commemorative cup and saucer from PG Tips. The M&S sponsored wicker hamper was far more sophisticated than we could have imagined with cold packs in linen pockets in the lining. The menu for the day was - Scottish smoked salmon mousse with hot and cold smoked salmon ; Pembrokeshire chicken roulade salad ; ‘Posh’ raspberry royale ; Best of British sandwich selection ; mini-piccalilli pork pie ; classic duo of butterfly cakes; British cheese & seeded oatcakes ; British Windsor apple juice ; Pimms and a bottle of fresh orange. Tea and ice creams were available free of charge all day, we were also given flags to wave. For those wishing alcoholic drinks a pay bar was available close by.
Our seats were located in Section D, table 20 which was about half way between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch from where the ‘Royals’ made their speeches. Prince Edward and his wife Sophie did the walk-about in our vicinity – and making her first debut was their daughter Louise who, all alone, was talking to the public, although obviously rather shy she carried out her duty with great aplomb. I told her she was very brave to which she replied ‘thank you’ !
Those taking part in the Pageant were to wear their ponchos if raining in the morning so that their dress would be fine for the afternoon Pageant. Fortunately by the time the afternoon came the sun had appeared and it was a great carnival atmosphere with us all cheering and waving our flags. Her Majesty and the Duke drove past in their new vehicle which allowed them to stand and be seen by everyone.
We had a small Association contingent in the Parade, it was our intention to show the type of uniform worn by Corps members over the years. Due to the very early start for briefing it was not possible for others around the country to get to London in time, it would have meant an overnight stay which would have been expensive and we could not pay expenses. In the Parade we were fortunate to have Simon Craine, John Shere, Keith Arnold, Merle Rendell-Reid and Terry Murphy (son of John) wearing his Dad’s Observer Captain hat. When we left the Mall at 4pm we all felt we had enjoyed a most memorable day and the icing on the cake was that we had spent it with our Association friends from around the country who we do not see too often."
PHOTOS from Jenny Morris, Margaret Baynton, and some web images NOTE: Click on images to see larger ones.
"The early morning of Sunday 12 June was dry for most before we made our way to London. However, it was not to be, when we arrived in London it was raining and we were very wet by the time we arrived on The Mall to receive our ponchos, which turned out to be very substantial. We had been told not to bring umbrellas, some did but were very good about not using them once we were seated. The airport-type security meant some delays but we had been advised to ‘bring our great British spirit with us, whatever the weather’ so that is what we did !
We were given goody bags by Boots which included many items including sun cream (!), and a commemorative cup and saucer from PG Tips. The M&S sponsored wicker hamper was far more sophisticated than we could have imagined with cold packs in linen pockets in the lining. The menu for the day was - Scottish smoked salmon mousse with hot and cold smoked salmon ; Pembrokeshire chicken roulade salad ; ‘Posh’ raspberry royale ; Best of British sandwich selection ; mini-piccalilli pork pie ; classic duo of butterfly cakes; British cheese & seeded oatcakes ; British Windsor apple juice ; Pimms and a bottle of fresh orange. Tea and ice creams were available free of charge all day, we were also given flags to wave. For those wishing alcoholic drinks a pay bar was available close by.
Our seats were located in Section D, table 20 which was about half way between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch from where the ‘Royals’ made their speeches. Prince Edward and his wife Sophie did the walk-about in our vicinity – and making her first debut was their daughter Louise who, all alone, was talking to the public, although obviously rather shy she carried out her duty with great aplomb. I told her she was very brave to which she replied ‘thank you’ !
Those taking part in the Pageant were to wear their ponchos if raining in the morning so that their dress would be fine for the afternoon Pageant. Fortunately by the time the afternoon came the sun had appeared and it was a great carnival atmosphere with us all cheering and waving our flags. Her Majesty and the Duke drove past in their new vehicle which allowed them to stand and be seen by everyone.
We had a small Association contingent in the Parade, it was our intention to show the type of uniform worn by Corps members over the years. Due to the very early start for briefing it was not possible for others around the country to get to London in time, it would have meant an overnight stay which would have been expensive and we could not pay expenses. In the Parade we were fortunate to have Simon Craine, John Shere, Keith Arnold, Merle Rendell-Reid and Terry Murphy (son of John) wearing his Dad’s Observer Captain hat. When we left the Mall at 4pm we all felt we had enjoyed a most memorable day and the icing on the cake was that we had spent it with our Association friends from around the country who we do not see too often."
PHOTOS from Jenny Morris, Margaret Baynton, and some web images NOTE: Click on images to see larger ones.
