Queen’s 90th birthday Sketch: In the bunting-clad-streets of Windsor, the people’s gratitude overflowed
A ‘Princess Diana Superfan’, a lady bearing a sponge cake with a corgi on it, and schoolchildren singing Happy Birthday greet monarch’s Royal Birthday Walkabout
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She had prepared a 90th birthday sponge cake. With a corgi on it. Named Susan, after the Queen’s first corgi.
She wasn’t going to miss the Queen’s Royal Birthday Walkabout for the world.
“I would have crawled here if necessary,” said Margaret Tyler, 72, a retired receptionist, from Wembley, north London, as she waited in her Union Flag suit outside Windsor Castle.
“I’ve got 10,000 items of Royal memorabilia. In four rooms including the red, white and blue Royal Bedroom.”
“I run a little B&B,” she added. “We stay up half the night talking about the Royal Family, and then guests go off to sleep in the Royal Bedroom.”
And she wasn’t even the most devoted. John Loughrey, 61, had been the first to arrive as always, camping outside the castle for three nights.
“I’m known as Princess Diana Superfan,” he said. “I was the first in the crowd for Diana's wedding. I was at the inquest. I was mentioned in court. The judge told the jury: ‘Only you and I, and the gentleman with Diana and Dodi written on his forehead have been here for every word of evidence.’”
Ms Tyler, though, had only arrived at 7am for the noon walkabout. She worried whether it would be enough.
“I hope I can get the cake to her.
“She works so hard, hosting all those dinners for people from abroad, with her charm and grace. There’s no-one else who could host those dinners!
“I just want to thank her. For everything. The cake doesn’t seem enough really, but it’s something.”
Yes, in the red, white and blue bunting-clad-streets of Windsor, amid six-deep crowds, schoolchildren singing Happy Birthday and loyal subjects peering from flag-bedecked windows, the people’s gratitude overflowed.
Bruce Simpson, 54, a gardener from East Horsley, Surrey, recalled how thrilled his grandfather Frank had been to receive a card from the Queen on his 100th birthday – and another on his 105th!
“The least I could do was to come here and wish her a happy 90th birthday.”
“Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, President Obama,” declared Mr Loughrey, “She’s better than all of them: because she’s got the knowledge, 2,000 years of knowledge, handed down from monarch to monarch.”
How very true.
And how very fitting that the build-up had been so proportionate. Loyal newspapers had treated us to “glorious 12-page specials”, in-depth analysis of “her most loyal little courtiers” [corgis].
Seven national newspapers had splashed with the news that the Queen had been photographed with her son, grandson and great grandson, - loveable Royal scamp George “who has his blond hair in a side parting and is wearing a smart white [£59] Rachel Riley shirt with blue piping”.
And now we weren’t just going to see photographs of the Queen, sitting. We were going to see her in the flesh, walking.
She’s very good at walking, the Queen - her talents being far from confined to hosting all those dinners. In royal terms, she practically invented walking.
“The walkabout is an example of the many ways the Queen has put her own mark on the monarchy,” intoned the Washington Post. “After she first tried it in 1970, walking among the crowds has become a fixture of royal events.”
Her Majesty would be unveiling a Queen’s Walkway information panel. Then, with a select group of fellow nonagenarians, she would eat cake. Great British Bake Off cake! Orange drizzle! Baked by 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain!
Her Majesty will have to settle for slightly less exalted associations when she lunches with US President Barack Obama on Friday.
Elsewhere, in the Commons, David Cameron would present a humble address, since he had not yet done humbling following his September efforts, when he described Her Majesty as “a golden thread” running through the generations.
Jeremy Corbyn would also pay his respects, because as Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition he jolly well ought to.
Then there would be a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
It was not anticipated that live rounds would be used, unless directed at a bound and blindfolded Mr Corbyn should the lifelong republican fail to sing the National Anthem/kneel like a good Privy Councillor/weep salt tears of gratitude for those 64 long years of selfless dedication. He ended up saying something about Her Majesty being an Arsenal fan, which was deemed good enough – for him.
So nothing could spoil the excitement.
The sun shone gloriously for the glorious birthday. Her Majesty walked from the castle gate
Who could contain their excitement at seeing our great leader? (“The mother and grandmother of the nation,” said Mr Simpson.)
Such was the people’s joy, they sang “Happy Birthday dear Queenie.”
They handed her flowers by the bucketload.
She was serene in lime green. Spring grass green wool and silk weave, Her Majesty’s press office corrected us. Hat to match, adorned with flowers by her dressmaker Angela Kelly. (No word yet on price, but we’re working on it.)
She departed in the State Review Range Rover, leaving only the warmth of her smile.
Desperate for news, we fought through the crowds to Ms Tyler.
Yes, Her Majesty had got the corgi cake!
“I got the collywobbles when she went down the other side of the road,” admitted Ms Tyler. “But then she crossed to our side. She gave me a smile. I’m so thrilled!
“I would do it all over again if I could.”
And she can. Because we don’t have to make do with just one glorious birthday celebration appearance. There is Windsor Castle in May - mounted troops, 100 pipers. And of course the Queen gets two birthdays. So we’ll get thirds and a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral come the official birthday in June.
We did wonder whether Ms Tyler might be joining the crowds for those celebrations.
“Oooh,” she said. “I think so.”
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