Two of Marlborough’s prominent residents were invited by royal command yesterday (Tuesday) to attend the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace – and neither of them knows exactly why.
But Brenda Mortimer MBE and David Sherratt put on the style and enjoyed a trip to London where some 8,000 people guests gathered for tea in the extensive Palace gardens.
Some of them had the opportunity to meet the Queen, now 88, and Prince Philip, though they were advised not to sing Happy Birthday to him to mark his celebration at reaching 91.
“There were 11 Bishops present all dressed in purple and I had a chance to talk to the new Bishop of Bath and Wells,” 83-year-old Mr Sherratt, the Town Council’s former ceremonial officer and himself a former Mayor of Berkhamsted, told Marlborough News Online.
“There was a chain gang of Mayors from all round the country and Secretary of State Eric Pickles was there, crammed into a morning coat, and Labour’s Harriet Harman too.
“Princess Anne and Princess Eugenie were also present and, while they had lines of people wishing to greet the Queen, those two moved off into the crowds to talk to people. It was quite extraordinary without even a personal protection officer there to guard them.
“The weather was excellent. We had a marvellous time and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.”
But, he added: “I still don’t know why I was invited, something of a mystery there. Neither does Brenda Mortimer, who loved every moment of it. Indeed, a wonderful day for both of us.”
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