Hi
thank you for the photos. Just a summary of my evening of which I am still reeling.
I received invite 5 weeks ago out of the blue, thickest white card I have ever seen!
Reception from 6-8pm, arrive between 5.15 and 5.50. So I arrived at 5.15, stoold outside palace (road closed off for event). Flag was flying which told me HM was home and then got really nervous. Entered through main gate, walked across quadrangle after ID checked to cnopy entrance then through main doors to reception hall. Turned left up stairs to throne room. WOW. Footmen everywhere with canapes (quails eggs, salmon) and drinks (water, apple, orange juice and champagne). Got name badge. Ladies in waiting there chatted to Annabel Whitehead who used to be Princess Margarets LIW she told me. She was genuinely lovely and said how all letters are answered if you write. I took some piccies on my phone of toilets! Not allowed but I had to. Then went back in saw Duke of Kent and Gloucesters. we had been told to hold onto yellow security passes with our names on. Then asked to move to the left of throne room, handed card to equerry who called out my name, I looked up and HM was standing there in blue outfit. I had no idea I would be presented and no time to be nervous. I walked over she shook my hand and said hello, I curtsied and said hello.She was smiling and looked me staright in the eyes as if expecting me to say something. I couldn't and scuttled off into music room, where equerry let me play piano YES REALLY. Hands were shaking. Then back into throne room and I stood chatting to Alan Farthing and Roger Vickers (royal surgeons) then equerry came over and said Her Majesty would like to join you. GULP. Over she came was introduced again and do you know what? She was lovely, funny and looked really interested. She asked what I did (nurse) and she said oh I have met another 2 nurses who work in your field tonight. Do you all know each other? I said no but Mr Vickers did look after me when I hurt my back in 1983 and she laughed. Then chatted to Mr Vickers and she was so relaxed, then wagged her finger at us and said don't get talking about work! I was shaking literally. More canapes, then met another royal lady - and to my shame have no idea who she was - she was wonderful, she said she knew Cicely Saunders and laid a stone at the first hospice in UK. Either Duchess of Gloucester or Princess Alexandra. I chatted to footmen and asked if they watch I'm a celeb as qualis eggs looked like bushtucker challenge, they laughed and said they did. Gorgeous lemon tarts and chocolates after, then off home. Left around 20:30. The most amazing night....
- me last night! lol
- It must have been wonderful and I'm glad you had a great time. (OK, I work FOR the NHS, but not clinically 
