A SALISBURY resident who was one of four schoolchildren chosen to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during a visit in 1974 has shared his memories of the encounter.

David Palmer was 14-years-old and a pupil at Westwood St Thomas School when he met the Queen who came to Salisbury Cathedral for The Maundy Service on April 11, 1974.

"I just cannot ever, ever, and will never, forget it," he said.

Recalling when he found out he would be meeting Her Royal Highness, he added: "I was actually in school at a PE lesson and someone came over and said you need to go to the headmasters office. I thought 'oh dear' - I was not normally one of these people that is always in trouble at school. I had to change into my school uniform and go over to the headmaster's office and he gives me this letter from Buckingham Palace."

The letter was inviting David, who grew up in Bishopdown, to take part in the Maundy Thursday Service at the cathedral.

Prior to the event he had to go to two rehearsals to make sure the Royal visit ran as smoothly as possible.

"The day itself is something that I obviously always remember. Everytime I see the Queen my thoughts go straight back to that very day," admits David, who is now 62.

"I was very nervous. We changed where the Yeoman of the Guard were changing because they took part in the service. I remember this very kind gentleman handing some sweets around to help the day.

"Then we had to take part in the ceremony and go through two processions when she distributed the money to the people in te congregation. And then meeting her at the end of the service and shook her hand. She didn't speak but the Duke of Edinburgh spoke asking my name and which school I went to."

David says he went out the west door opening and remembers seeing "all these hundreds of faces" which took him "aback a bit".

"It is a day that has lived with me all my life. It has been most upsetting at this time with her passing," continues David, who works at The Red Lion in Salisbury.

"She was an amazing lady and just knew what to say or didn't say. She is someone that everyone is going to miss terribly, which you can see with the outpouring happening in country and throughout the world."

David says he feels "very honoured" to have been able to meet the Queen and shake hands with her, which is something "that can never be taken away". But to this day is not sure the exact reason why he was chosen for the special visit.

What sticks in his mind from the visit is the ceremony itself, the uniforms of the Yeoman of the Guard and, of course, the biggest moment shaking hands with Her Majesty at the end.

 

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