Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Congratulations to Her Maj.

According to her late husband Phil, she thought this this was her finest moment. (that's me with the red tie)

So when you met her TBM did it give you a different opinion?

It was 1980, and Her Maj was delivering the Maundy Money at Worcester Cathedral. Afterwards she met with a select bunch of school kids.I was a bit 'in awe' of the whole situation. She was lovely to us though and took time to chat.

A few years ago I bought a tie pin made from one of the Maundy coins she gave out on the day. I don't wear it, but it is a nice little memory.

I don't have strong opinions about the Royal family, but I think I lean more towards being a Monarchist than a Republican. I think she has done a very good job over her reign.

The photo only came to light a few years ago. I'd met Sally when I used to work in the Theatre in my late teens and we've been friends ever since. She's the one with the flowers. She popped the photo on FB and I spotted my bowl haired moon face behind her.

As a 4th generation Windsorian, I used to see the Queen pretty regularly, when the inevitable comes it will be sad day for the country and for me personally.

Genuine question: Why?

Why could we not have a codified written constitution, enshrined in law and backed by the Supreme Court, to which we all owe our allegiance and to which all citizens are subject, even (especially!) the Government of the day?

If we wanted a flesh and blood figurehead to go round opening hospitals and greeting foreign dignitaries then that could just as well be served by making it a voluntary position with a fixed term of one year for which ordinary citizens could apply and be chosen by lot.

Granted the Queer old Dean has done a spiffing job of playing the role for 70 years, but it has to be said she's a bit exceptional in that regard, it's not like the Royal Fam has been exactly awash with decent folk since Victoria.

It obviously made a lasting impression on her. Apparently the Royal Mail vetoed her original request to have 'the fab day I met TBM' and replaced it with '1980'

She looks ecstatic. I think she winked at me shortly after.

Apologies if this looks like claiming bragging rights, but here I am with HMTQ presenting my gong. Noteworthy is the lady at the end of the row of guests, she was evidently truly captivated.

I'll bet a fiver she was saying to you 'Do you know TBM?'

Sadly not. She had heard (from an Equerry) that I had recently hosted a sizeable inward-investment delegation from Cambodia. I took them to lunch at a fine typically-English pub in Dorset. The pickled onions in the ploughmans' defeated them, with bouncy consequences, which raised a royal smile. A very proud moment for me (the investiture, not the bouncy onions). Well at least I didn't do a Monty Python and say "you don't look much like you do on the stamps" (even the TBM one).

Bugger. I owe you a fiver. I bet she was thinking it.