Personal Royal Experiences

[GracieGiraffe]

Did that really happen? That's hilarious.

Shaken hands with QE2, DOE and Princess Beatrice smiled at me outside York Minster last year. Was a lovely day.

Yes, and that is EXACTLY how it happened. I could have shaken hands with Fergie if I had bought one of her jugs or something.

Must have been nice to meet the Queen, DoE and Beatrice!

 

[KittyAtlanta]

I remember when Fergie came to town. I thought my late friend, Leonard, was going to have a heart attack in the days running up to the visit at the mall. I didn't go, but he did and got her autograph and purchased a piece of the pottery or china, I can't remember which. That visit stayed with him until he died and made him a very happy man. One person's trash is another person's treasure.

I was presented to Carl-Gustav at a ball given in his honor in 1988 or 1989. I got invited because of my job (private banker) at the time.

Prince Charles waved at me from the driver's seat of his Aston-Martin in London many moons ago (he wasn't married yet).

The late and much lamented King Hussein I saw at least twice a year (never met Queen Noor).

I waived to the Princess of Wales on their visit to Washington, D.C. in 1985. She waived back, as did Barbara Bush.

Shall I go on?????

 

[GracieGiraffe]

I remember when Fergie came to town. I thought my late friend, Leonard, was going to have a heart attack in the days running up to the visit at the mall. I didn't go, but he did and got her autograph and purchased a piece of the pottery or china, I can't remember which. That visit stayed with him until he died and made him a very happy man. One person's trash is another person's treasure.

I was presented to Carl-Gustav at a ball given in his honor in 1988 or 1989. I got invited because of my job (private banker) at the time.

Prince Charles waved at me from the driver's seat of his Aston-Martin in London many moons ago (he wasn't married yet).

The late and much lamented King Hussein I saw at least twice a year (never met Queen Noor).

I waived to the Princess of Wales on their visit to Washington, D.C. in 1985. She waived back, as did Barbara Bush.

Shall I go on?????

Oh, what might have been, Kitty!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad Fergie made your friend's day, Kitty. The place was packed, she made a lot of people's day.

 

[nascarlucy]

I've never had the pleasure of meeting any royal.

 

[cepe]

I've been to a garden party at BP and saw the Queen, PRince Philip, Charles, Camilla, Sophie, Edward and Anne. The food is lovely, the Gardens superb and they have the most amazing temprorary washroom facilities ever.

Also attended the 250th anniversary of the Royal Artillary at Woolwich - sat about 3 rows back from the Queen, to the side; Prince Philip was with her. Also saw Margaret THatcher.

 

[Butterwicke]

I've twice been honored with the privilege of singing in benefit concerts which were attended by HRH The Duke of Kent. The first one was at Westminster Cathedral, where I understand HRH The Duchess of Kent was also in attendance, though I didn't see either of them in the crowd.

The second concert was held at St. Paul's Cathedral and there I saw the Duke as soon as he made his way to his seat, which was just opposite the orchestra from where I sat on stage. After the concert there was an informal reception down in the crypt which he and I both attended. For a long while we were standing only about 8 - 10 feet apart, but I didn't have an opportunity to meet or speak to him as he had several people with whom he was quite engaged in conversation. Still, it was fun to just stand there mere feet away while we both sampled food and beverages.

Regardless, such opportunities were rare and special for someone who lives in Florida!

 

[AfricanAUSSIE]

I've had nightmares about this (sad, I know) where I'd be so gobsmacked that I'd go into shock and curtsey (even though I am a guy) and then just stare at them.

I have met a couple during my work with the Olympic Bid in Sydney. I recognised the British and Monaco royals only. I was in the lift with Albert of Monaco and that was not the most comfortable experience. He was a lady's man! And not very tall folks!! Any others I would not have recognised as they were not featured in the local media. No big deal, just work, I thought. They are after all, mortal. I did hear a lot of stories about the royal visits from colleagues and not all of them pretty. The Queen's husband seemed to be the least favourite.

Just recently, on Charlie's visit. There was quite a stir about him expecting a large number of eggs to be cooked for his breakfast regardless of the fact he would only ever eat one!

 

[Duchess of Durham]

Back in the 90's I worked at a physical rehab hospital which Infanta Christina came to visit. I almost ran right into her as I turned a corner and she was walking down the hallway with hospital admins giving her a tour.

 

[scooter]

In defence of Diana, I have met her 4 times over the years, and on these occasions, she always went out of her way to talk to people waiting for her - even when the press were NOT around. In Oct. 1991, Diana & Charles visited Toronto. One night the princess had a late engagement at the theatre to see Les Miz. As the royal couple were staying on the royal yacht Britannia, one of my friends spent several hours waiting dockside along with a small group of fans, for the princess to return from the theatre. She was hoping just to catch a glimpse of the princess & was completely shocked to see Diana get out of her car and approach her fans. She spent several minutes talking with everyone inspite it being very late at night. (Yes, the event was shown on local news the next day, but only because one of the fans had brought his movie camera and sold the very amateur looking footage to CITY TV. There were no official members of the press there, so the Princess wouldn't have anticipated this happening.)

I've seen Prince Charles several times. On four occasions, there were big crowds and he interacted with them, but on one occasion, there were only about 50 of us & one cameraman waiting, so all we got was a quick wave & a smile. The same for Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. When there is a big crowd, she may interact, but if there is just 60 or so people, you might just get a wave.

I don't view the occasions where the royals don't interact with the crowds in a negative way. They are busy people in stressful positions. I think they have to pick and choose the occasions where they give more of themselves, otherwize they will be completely exhausted. We have to remember, that although the event might be a "once in a lifetime" occasion for us, for them it is an everyday occurence. And besides, like you & I, they have their bad days. They can't always be "on" 100% of the time.

Well said Squidge!

 

[EarlOfDawleyMagna]

I narrowly missed out on meeting The Queen last year! I was totally gutted!

 

[padams2359]

My son was at Windsor an BP. He said they were beautiful in the snow. The pics look great.

 

[nascarlucy]

Unless it is a private function where there aren't hundreds of people, you probably aren't going to get to shake the royals hand or speak to them. If there is a huge crowd, you might be lucky if they shook you're hand. You would have to be in front if you were lucky. Just the fact that I saw someone who was royal would be enough for me. If I was able to have a brief conversation with them, that would be great, but not something I would expect.

 

[EleanorL]

haha, it was nothing sensational at all. It was at Solliden and I said something like happy birthday, hope you´re having great day. And she said Thank you, I have...
She was, as always, very friendly and nice. She had a smile and a few words for everyone that was there and I must say I agree with those who says that we couldn´t have a better person as crownprincess

GrandDuchess, what a luck that you have seen both Silvia, Madeleine and Carl Philip!
I´ve never seen any of the royals in "private"...
Just heard some stories from a friend of mine who knows Caroline Kreuger and has been out shopping with Caroline and Victoria
*yennie is not jelaous, not at a-l-l*

I know you wrote this in 2004, but please please please tell us more about Victoria and Madde shopping! I'm so curious, I love the Swedish royal family!

 

[Iluvbertie]

I know you wrote this in 2004, but please please please tell us more about Victoria and Madde shopping! I'm so curious, I love the Swedish royal family!

Don't be surprised or disappointed if you don't hear anything from Yennie. Yennie hasn't posted here since 2010. Sadly that is one of the things with older posts - many of the posters have left the board (although I am not saying that is the case with Yennie who may now lurk and have felt that they had nothing to add to a discussion) although over 4 years since the last post would suggest that Yennie has left us.

 

[GracieGiraffe]

I went to see Fergie selling Wedgewood at our local mall in 1999 - the type of royal encounter Charlie Brown would have.

 

[Siamesess]

I met Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2005, when she visited my town. She is very nice!

 

[carlota]

Have you met a royal in person or gone to see them?

Have you met a royal in person or gone to see them at one of their events or royal engagements? What's the closest you have been to a royal? When and where was it and what did you think of him / her? tell us about it!

 

[Baron Brockdorf]

I haven't met any royals however I was lucky enough to happen to be in Stcokholm 2 years ago when the king celebrated his jubilee, so on jubilee day I visited the royal palace cos it was free hehe and I went to Sodra valvet where the Royal grenadiers where marching and I saw them enter the palace and line the staircase of the church...and I knew what that meant so I waited and soon after the trumpets began playing and the royals made their entrance from the inner courtyard. Then I went on the bridge connecting Normalm and Gamla Stan (among a sea of people mind you ) beneath the balcony of the Royal Palace and so when the royal family came out I took a few pictures...not the best ones cos I had to zoom in quite a few times to get a good shot of their faces but it's something at least....and after the balcony appearance I went into the court yard of the palace where there was music and saw the king a queen dancing and Princess Madeleine playing with Estelle...I don't remember seeing the rest ... Too many people
But it was a special day for me coming from a republic ...they gave us flags on the bridge and passed round glasses of sparkling wine to the people there, Twas very nice ....it was also nice to enter the Royal palace from the door facing Gustav Adolf square, since it's hardly ever open
It was a very special day for me because the SRF is my favourite, and Stockholm is my favorite city so it was lovely to see it 'in its best' so to say cos the streets where lined with flags, folklore shows in the street ...it was a lovely sight
The next day I bought the newspapers to see if could find a shot of myself hehe but unfortunately no

 

[Lumutqueen]

I've been to see The Queen, DOE and Princess Beatrice at York Minster during the Royal Maundy service one year. Never met or seen anyone else that I'm aware of

 

[Curryong]

I've seen most of the BRF in my time, in both Britain and Australia. The Queen and Prince Philip the most, Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother when they were on tour years ago (separately) and Diana quite close to a couple of times, in Melbourne, Charles and Anne I've seen, both when they were young and older. I saw William and Harry as little boys on the BP balcony and very much closer on the Christmas walk at Sandringham a few years ago. Also William and Kate in Sydney when they toured.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Yes i have met the swedish King and Queen and also Princess Christina and Tord Magnuson a couple of times and i've seen all the swedish royals a lot of times.

I've seen the danish and norwegian royals in Copenhagen and Stockholm and also the norwegian King and Queen in Trondheim.

 

[melina premiere]

As I lived in Nice, I met Princess Grace with Princess Stéphanie when she was Young , they bought a cake in a shop, I saw all the princely family when there was still Princess Grace, It was at the national fests, at the circus festivals, at the Saint Devote fests, in the years 90, I saw also Princess Caroline with her children , Princess Stéphanie, Prince Rainier, I saw many times prince Albert.
I saw Charlene Wittstock when she was doing footing and every year, I saw Princess Stéphanie, Pauline, the princely couple at the festival circus gala and I saw Albert and Charlene at the Sainte Devote fest
I will be present again this year at the gala of the festival circus, you can see all the members of the principaly family and I will be also present to the Sainte Devote fests where I will see Albert and Charlene


I saw the king Baudoin and queen Fabiola at the national fest of Belgium with the king Albert and queen Paola, they were at this times princes of Liege.


During the olympic games at Grenoble in 1968, I saw the empress Farah of Iran and the heir prince Carl Gustal of Sweden, He is now the king of Sweden, he was a very handsome prince

 

[cepe]

Attended a BP garden party and 250 anniversary of Royal Artillery where HMQ, DoE and other royals were present.

Met Lady Sarah Chatto on a train trip and we discussed the delay!

 

[MissByrd]

I saw the Queen and Prince Phillip some years ago in San Diego. They disembarked from Brittania and walked down the pier. We were standing on the pier and they smiled and nodded at us. We were close enough to reach out and touch them. I was impressed with the beautiful intense blueness of The Queen's eyes, as well as the beauty of her complexion. I also had never thought about how small she really is until that day.

 

[MissByrd]

Of course, we did not reach out and touch anyone! Smile! We were just gratified to have our tickets from the British Embassy enabling us to stand so close on the pier. And, of course, I still have my ticket.

 

[elizabethkelly]

When Prince William was in Vancouver with Prince Harry in the spring of 1998, I went downtown to their hotel in hopes of seeing them arrive or leave. I was in luck - I ended up having a short exchange with Tiggy Legge-Bourke who was very warm and William shook my hand. This was right after they had received their Roots Olympic hats and jacket. They took off for Whistler right after, and there was a big rainbow in the sky. Such a fun memory.

 

[Countessmeout]

Not me personally, but my dad's cousin is a former news broadcaster in Victoria. On at least one occasion he has got to meet the queen. He was actually her official escort into dinner some years ago and got to do a welcome speech. His mother sent copies of the newspaper to the family.

I remember in Brownies going to see the hotel room Charles and Diana stayed in when they visited my home town. I have been at a few events in my city with Edward and Sophie.

 

[Milla Rose]

The last post on this thread was from 2016 so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to ask here, but I am really curious, has anyone here ever met Charles, Camilla, William, or Catherine?