Meeting Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace



 Rachel Colenso with Red Cross Landrover in Buckingham Palace Courtyard

Today I attended the Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate 100 years since WW1, and 150 years since the start of the Red Cross movement. It was avery exciting afternoon! At 3pm we were ushered through the main gates into Buckingham Palace. I made sure I was in the middle line so I could walk right through the middle of the palace, which was a remarkable experience. The ceiling, and wall décor is in gold leaf, and I was a little surprised at the number of life size marble statues adorning the entrance hall. We were ushered through the large Palace courtyard to the second entrance hall which was again ornate, with larger than life oil paintings of previous kings and queens. Maroon carpets trimmed with pink bows within the weave fitted precisely to measure. Outside, the terrace forecourt leads down a wide flight of stairs to the gardens and lake beyond.



 

 

I quickly spotted the tea tent and met up with two very hot Scottish military personnel baking in their kilts and full kit. We each took turns to line up for tea and cake, which was rather tasty. (I eventually made my way back for seconds, thirds and fourths. And yes, they do serve cucumber sandwiches.)

A military brass band played "God save the Queen" and Prince Charles and Princess Alexandra came out onto the forecourt and moved down into the garden. Everyone stood in two long lines hoping to catch a closer look or chance to say hello. Photographs are not permitted, but it was a bit too exciting an opportunity, and out popped the mobile phones.

 

 

 Prince Charles moved down our line and as he approached, looked my way and came over. (It must have been the new red dress and Auntie Rosemary's gift shoes!) I was dumbstruck - a rather unique experience. He broke the ice to all of us nearby by commenting on the weather, a good British topic we could all talk about. Unfortunately I didn't get to discuss Eco-tourism, or anything else for that matter so headed back to the tea tent for a fifth round of cakes and iced coffee and then explored the magnificent gardens and lake. A pity Jeremy was not there to share it with me.

Later we watched a super Zulu warior dance. The African contingent in the crowd started warbling their voices and clapping, and suddenly the whole event became rather jolly. Prince Charles seemed quite taken with the performance.

On their way out Princess Alexandra came passed and stopped to chat with the person next to me, who had hurt her leg and was in a wheelchair. She seemed like a lovely Royal member who dedicates a lot of time to people.

I feel most privileged to have been invited and will remember it for many years.