I ran into Charles in Canterbury Cathedral in 1978. I was visiting with my friend, leisurely looking at the stained glass windows and everything else when there was a commotion, lots of women and an hysterical feeling in the air. I asked one woman what was going on. "Don't you know, it's the Prince of Wales!" My friend and I decided to escape into a chapel on the opposite side of the cathedral as none of us like crowds. It was a kind of store room for folding chairs, very cramped. There were two young girls there already. Suddenly the prince came in with two men, guides or equerries, I don't know what. The girls gave him a bouquet and Charles turned to me, probably thinking I was the girls' mother: "How very kind". I couldn't say a word, I was almost choking for inward laughter. My friend looked like thunder. I should have said that we were not lying in ambush, on the contrary and please don't thank me. But his words, How very kind, is now a household word in my family.

I love visiting Knossos. It is awe inspiring. But I wasn't there that day, I did not know that there was a royal visit. In fact, I did not know about the new baby and the impending marriage until very recently. It is not something that I take much interest in.

I loved Mariannese's story. The only time I have had any contact with the royal family, was many years ago when I took my daughter, who was then 4 years old, to the Derby in June. This is held every year at the historical racecourse at Epsom. It is a big, festive event with a fair and sideshows as well as the flat racing. I took my daughter to the fair first, which she loved. She also loved rolling down a grassy bank, over and over again. When she tired of that, we slowly wandered along the side of the racecourse, taking in all of the crowds and the party atmosphere. I had bought a picnic with us, which I carried in a Woolworth's carrier bag and my daughter walked hand in hand with me whilst eating a chocolate ice-cream. Without noticing where we were going, we found ourselves inside the Royal Enclosure. Why we were not stopped from entering, I don't know. I gradually realised that the crowds had thinned out and all of the men were wearing morning suits with silk top hats and all of the ladies were in flowery summer dresses with big hats.

Before we had a chance to escape, the security men, (who were also wearing morning suits) opened a pathway for the Queen, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother, who were walking back from the parade ring after seeing their horse saddled. The Queen walked past me, just a few feet away, her glance taking in my tatty blue Levi's, the Woolworth's carrier bag, my daughter's grass stained summer dress and her heavily, chocolate smeared face. Not a flicker of surprise crossed her face as she walked past me but the Queen Mother, following a few feet behind, looked straight at us and gave us a broad grin. After they passed, we left the royal enclosure, without a word from anyone.

That is the only contact I have ever had with the Royal Family.

Daisy Epsom Derby

What fun stories! Loved 'em both!!!

I also enjoy the stories too. So nice to hear this :)

I was working at Harry Potter about 6-7 years ago going on 9 years. Apparently, all managers and top people came in. It was a small room of ollivanders shop. We were told to leave as employees so we went to a bigger room. The door open from Ollivanders. Came Prince Andrew and his two daughters. With his guards, accountant and whoever. That room can only hold barely 10 people. Very small room and tight room.

We can still see them. They bought whatever his daughters wanted. Then, they came to bigger room. Took the sizes ( they know the sizes whoever did that ) while the Prince and his daughters look around and walk out, smiling and talking among them. No guests in any rooms of limit. So, we rang the transactions, bag it and handed them. So many securities and undercovers. I have never seen any Royals and this is remarkable experience and I don't think I will see anything like this ever again. Top actress and actresses , yes. I talk to them and all but Royalty makes it really special and mostly we become shy, speechless and kinda dumb wondering if we are even speaking correct english but of course just being quite and rang everything quitely.

All, we see is Prince walking with his daughters and his personnel, Undercovers...stroll around and walk out..like all under 5 mins. Someone grab and someone paid. That's it.

Jin