The gorgeous lady in the photo above is this memory, this up-close-and-personal memory we have of December 23, 1990. The day was significant because it was the day Princess Eugenie Victoria was to be christened. And we were there.
On the Sunday prior to Christmas Day, the royal family attends St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham. My sister and I wanted to be among those crowds on that day. We decided to wake in the wee morning hours, take my small daughter, and rocket north toward Sandringham. We were going to see the Queen!
The three of us had a front row spot along the roped in area, near the church. Suddenly we were all electrified to see the royal family making its way down the path, and into the church. The crowds were able to hear the christening through the PA system, singing along with the hymns, listening to the words as the family promised to raise the child in the faith of Christ. A moment we won't soon forget.
The family all came out afterward, for pictures and to greet the public.
It is the tradition for children to be allowed to approach and present their flowers to any royal they wish. Although almost everyone was heading toward Princess Di and the Queen, my sweet darling went the other direction, and handed hers instead to the Queen Mum. It was the sweetest thing!
We did not have a twig's worth of hope that any royal would approach us on their walk back to the House. But suddenly, we saw - could it be? - Diana heading our direction! She was sensational. She was stunning! She came, unbelievably, up to us, shaking our hands, and saying, 'Wasn't it a lovely service? We all sang our hearts out!'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4572243794/
I do not kid you when I use the word stunning. Everything about her seemed to shine, that day. Her eyes especially communicated with those around her as she greeted them kindly.
The three of us counted it a privilege to be there, to see Diana, to be spoken to by her, and to shake her hand. Just 7 years later, we were tremendously saddened to hear of her death. The tragedy has sometimes been spoken of in words that convey something different than the person we met, on that one special Christmas.
I, for one, believe in the Christmas Diana.
See you along the way!
the SconeLady
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/6149146259/">Jim Linwood</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4572243794/">ell brown</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>
What a tremendous day that was! Remember the wind was so cold early in the morning, but we were warmed by the service and then speaking with Princess Diana afterwards. I'll never forget that day.
ReplyDeleteI think we were cold for EVERY MINUTE that winter of 1990! There were never enough layers. I remember also that we had to run very fast in order to get the up front space near the church. Because the crowds were at our heels, scratching, clawing to get there first.
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