The Queen Mother and I
I completed my Biology degree in 1971. Somehow I managed to achieve an honours degree despite not being the most diligent of students. The college insisted on putting lectures in the morning and I was usually up all night at various gigs or talking madly about the state of the universe.
I must have found some time to absorb a bit of biology on the way.
As my degree was a London University degree they had a big award ceremony. This was to take place in the Royal Albert Hall with the Queen Mother giving out the awards.
Being something of a rebel with waist length hair and attitude, a dislike of the establishment and distaste for all forms of elitism, I was not that enamored.
Indeed the whole ceremony smacked of everything I stood against – elitism, monarchy, the establishment. The Albert Hall was OK though. I’d seen Country Joe and the Fish, Roy Harper and Hendrix there.
My Mum and Dad urged me to go but I declined. It wasn’t my thing. It was only years later that I fully appreciated how selfish I’d been.
I was the first person in my family to achieve a degree. To my Mum and Dad it was a really big thing. My achievements made them proud. They had sacrificed a lot for me to be educated and I had treated it all so lightly. For them to have had a photo of me receiving my degree, in cap and gown, from the Queen Mother would have been something huge.
So much for principles.
I still feel immensely guilty to this day.
Excuse me, Opher, but that should read “Royal Albert Hall”. Standards, man, standards!
You’re right. Apologies. I should always defer to royalty.
Royal, Royal and more Royal. Never forget that. Queen and Country, what!
Jolly Roger!
My brother did exactly the same – he didn’t tell the folks. He did go though, in jeans & t-shirt. I have a photo. Funny how it never got to sit on the sideboard….
That’s what is so sad. I know mine would have had pride of place and meant so much to them. It was a bastard thing to do. I was thoughtless and selfish. I really regret it now even though they are both long gone.
I’ve had the unfortunate circumstance to have met a few of Her Majesty’s off-spring. When I say met, I’ve said hi, introduced myself, and told them the agenda. Anne – very big tip for herself.
Andy – total tosser and Really Useful Eddie – so posh he can’t speak. He is a specimen and a half.
Anne’s ex-hubby, the good Captain Whateverhisname, had a penchant for getting sloshed and surround himself with a bevvy of expensive looking hookers. I once had the sincere pleasure of whispering in his ear, that I thought he had consumed quite enough for an evening and perhaps it would be a good idea if Sir retired. “Yes, Quite” he quipped. What a ….
I bet that went down well! Careful – you could be on a treason charge!
I think the entirety of Perthshire knew of his habits!
This was early 90’s at the Gleneagles Hotel, where I was F&B mgr.
Is he still with us?
I’ve looked round my room – can’t see him!