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I met the Queen, and wished her well
with many happy returns on her special day—
of course, not on her actual birthday,
but close enough—she had just
turned sixty and I was twenty
(give or take.)
We had all been briefed beforehand in
the proper forms of address should she
stop and speak to one of us while
going on her walk-about
when last the band had played
(not likely!)
So, it caught me well off guard when,
while standing at attention,
she approached and stopped and spoke
(to me!)
My goodness! You’re a young lady!
said she, and all that I could muster was,
Yes Ma’am!
(Perhaps, this year, I'll send a card.)
* True story—as a member of the RCAF-Reserves for nearly 20 years, I was the first female piper in the band's 50-year history. (Hence, my screen name, pipersfancy.) In the mid-80's, Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed to my city of Winnipeg with a Command Performance at our old Winnipeg Arena. It was a huge, drafty barn of a facility... not really suitable for our local hockey team, much less a royal visit... and my band mates and I were all joking about how the Queen would possibly do a walk-about the circumfrence of the building... (we laughed at the thought of her hiking up her gown and making a mad dash... or maybe they were going to find her a scooter to ride on?) So, as we were all briefed on the correct forms of address should the Queen actually speak to any of the performers following the show, I wasn't really paying close attention as the possibility seemed too remote to be concerned... Imagine my surprise! I like to think I redeemed myself the following day when I was presented with a second opportunity during the opening of the Royal Western Canada Aviation Museum. This time, there were not hundreds of performers and a huge arena... just a few invited guests, a ceremonial military guard, and us... the pipeband. This time, the Queen conducted a ceremonial inspection of the troops, and when she came to me, she stopped. She recalled having spoken to me the day before, and went on to ask me questions about how I'd become interested in playing the pipes, what I was studying in university, long-term goals for life... etc.
So, I had a very pleasant conversation with the Queen... (but still, neglected to wish her a happy birthday!)
pf
with many happy returns on her special day—
of course, not on her actual birthday,
but close enough—she had just
turned sixty and I was twenty
(give or take.)
We had all been briefed beforehand in
the proper forms of address should she
stop and speak to one of us while
going on her walk-about
when last the band had played
(not likely!)
So, it caught me well off guard when,
while standing at attention,
she approached and stopped and spoke
(to me!)
My goodness! You’re a young lady!
said she, and all that I could muster was,
Yes Ma’am!
(Perhaps, this year, I'll send a card.)
* True story—as a member of the RCAF-Reserves for nearly 20 years, I was the first female piper in the band's 50-year history. (Hence, my screen name, pipersfancy.) In the mid-80's, Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed to my city of Winnipeg with a Command Performance at our old Winnipeg Arena. It was a huge, drafty barn of a facility... not really suitable for our local hockey team, much less a royal visit... and my band mates and I were all joking about how the Queen would possibly do a walk-about the circumfrence of the building... (we laughed at the thought of her hiking up her gown and making a mad dash... or maybe they were going to find her a scooter to ride on?) So, as we were all briefed on the correct forms of address should the Queen actually speak to any of the performers following the show, I wasn't really paying close attention as the possibility seemed too remote to be concerned... Imagine my surprise! I like to think I redeemed myself the following day when I was presented with a second opportunity during the opening of the Royal Western Canada Aviation Museum. This time, there were not hundreds of performers and a huge arena... just a few invited guests, a ceremonial military guard, and us... the pipeband. This time, the Queen conducted a ceremonial inspection of the troops, and when she came to me, she stopped. She recalled having spoken to me the day before, and went on to ask me questions about how I'd become interested in playing the pipes, what I was studying in university, long-term goals for life... etc.
So, I had a very pleasant conversation with the Queen... (but still, neglected to wish her a happy birthday!)
pf
The Queen is so enduring and seems to be doing great for her age.
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