Tuesday 29 May 2018

So nearly a brush with royalty

If Gail and her friends Yvonne and Neil had bothered to get going earlier on Sunday morning we would have arrived at Balmoral Castle in time to see the Queen attend the local church service.

Instead we were met at the car park at noon by a conspicuous security presence, although I must say that the young policeman we spoke to was all smiles and friendliness, enjoying the warm sunshine and seemingly not at all worried that our party constituted a terrorist threat.

Gosh it's a lovely place, the Balmoral estate. 


After romping around the forest and enjoying the fine views of Upper Deeside we approached the castle and were surprised to find the grounds still open to the public despite the Queen being in residence*.

In the cafĂ© I met this lovely young lady called Steph, who has taken a summer job on the estate.  Can you see the smart Balmoral insignia on her apron? 

After giving me a biscuit and a nice pat, she told us how a couple of days ago she actually met with the Queen. I hope I am not going to get Steph sent to the Tower of London when I tell you she described her employer as "funny and really quite sassy".

Which made me feel even more sorry that I did not run into Her Majesty, as it's clear we have much in common (notwithstanding her well-documented preference for corgis). And no doubt Queen Liz too will now be regretting she missed the chance to have her picture taken alongside me and posted on this blog!

*Gail says: apparently the Queen is staying in a smaller house in the grounds of the estate, away from the visiting public. 

15 comments:

  1. Bertie that is a wonderful place... and I'm with you to meet the queen would be pawsome... I bet she would love to see such a fabulous WHFT ;o)... btw... if she would pet you that's like getting the knightly accolade right? and you are Sir Bertie then....

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  2. Sorry to be pedantic, Bertie. HRH stands for Her Royal Highness. Don't you mean HM (Her Majesty)?
    However, it look as though you had a good time at Balmoral, even if you didn't see Her Majesty !

    Love,
    Inca xx

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    1. Oh no! You are of course right and the post has been corrected. Thanks for pointing out our dreadful breach of etiquette! Maybe it will be Bertie who gets sent to the tower for his right royal faux pas?

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    2. Poor Bertie, we'll take him some biscuits, because yesterday was National Biscuit Day in the UK. Sadly, not here in Spain.

      Love,
      Inca

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  3. Sorry the Queen missed her chance.....

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  4. Yes, indeed we are sorry the Queen did not have an opportunity to meet you! You might have convinced her to start preferring Wires. They are much more fun than corgis!

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  5. Hari om
    What a wonderful visit you had, Bertie lad! We are being blessed ths week... I have just arrived in Tarbert from Portavadie by ferry to spend 24 hours with the clan and is GLORIOUS!!! Hugs and wags YAM-aunty xxx

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  6. What a beautiful day you had to visit those lovely grounds and see all the views. I bet dollars to donuts Queen Liz's Corgis would be quite jealous if they say your purrfect tail.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  7. What a beautiful view and even better to wander around the estate!

    Keep Calm & Find the Queen!

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. Bummer - that would have been so nice to meet the sassy Queen:)

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  9. What a lovely adventure you had, Bertie! The Queen's loss absolutely!

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  10. That would have so lovely to meet the Queen!
    What a lovely place that is
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  11. Crikey Bertie ..... I reckon if the Queen knew you were there she would have popped out to say g'day. After all .... you're such a handsome bloke and a great Ambassador for Scotland, aye??

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  12. Wowsers Bertie, we bet the Queen is sorry she missed meeting you!!
    xoxo,
    Jakey, Arty & Rosy

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  13. Hi hi hi! Ojo here! The queen missed out for sure!!

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