Back in November I received a letter that I couldn’t quite take in. It was delivered ‘on her majesty’s service’ and was a letter inviting me to accept an honour from the Queen.
I couldn’t understand it at first, someone had regarded me as somebody who should be considered and I was taken aback somewhat. I duly accepted and after reading the words “in strictest confidence” decided to keep the news to immediate family. In reality, I wasn’t entirely sure it was genuine, so I wanted to wait until the announcement.
But it was true and this week I had the absolute pleasure of her Majesty’s company. Albeit for around 60 seconds, but those 60 seconds were shared between solely me and the Queen and it was wonderful.
I took my mum, dad and Jamie who is 6 and delighted to get two days off school down to stay overnight at a gorgeous hotel with a pool & spa. We arrived at the Palace a few minutes early and were directed to drive through the crowds to get to the gates where the car was searched by security guards. We entered the gates and directed through to the quadrangle of the palace – driving almost beneath the main balcony. The palace guards presented arms as we approached.
We parked in the quadrangle and walked up the red carpeted entrance– the one we’ve all seen the Royal Family use hundreds of times.
It led us to the main reception room, from here there were rooms off at every angle, we were ushered up some stairs where I was separated from my family. Mum, dad and Jamie went off down a long and very grand hallway to await the Queen in the Palace Ballroom where the investiture was to take place, while I walked along up the ‘Grand Staircase’ a very beautiful and ornate curved staircase. This led to further rooms where I mingled with the other recipients as we waited…
Eventually the “Comptroller” arrived to talk us through what would happen; my goodness there was lots to remember. We would be told when to enter the ballroom and would know where to stand, thankfully but we had to know our queue – when to approach the Queen, when and how to bow or curtsy, and how to leave – 3 spaces backwards, another curtsy and leave to the right.
Twenty Seven investitures are held each year, there were about 100 people receiving honours today. The Queen entered the Ballroom attended by two Gurkha Officers, a tradition started by Queen Victoria. Five members of The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard are on duty, this was created by King Henry VII.
The Queen is escorted by the Lord Chamberlain who after the National anthem has been played stands to Her Majesty’s right and announces the name of each recipient and the achievement for which he or she is being decorated.
Starting with knighthoods, then the Order of the Bath, the Royal Victorian Order, then onto the CBE’s, OBE’s, MBE’s and finally the royal Victorian Medals and the Police Medals.
This means I am now MBE; A member of THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
I had to walk through a number of large reception rooms, and across the back of the ballroom where investitures were already taking place and managed to spot & wave at my family at the last moment. In the ballroom, an orchestra was playing throughout, completing the amazing atmosphere.
Whilst in the line awaiting my turn, I was nervous, excited and very much in awe at my surroundings. The walls were covered with huge wall hangings of original paintings depicting the history of the Royal Family.
I found myself next in line, the person before me was in place at the marker awaiting her turn to approach the Queen. I was next. Possibly sensing my unease, the usher began chatting to me, he was possibly the 8th person to check my name – the whole proceedings are like clockwork ensuring everybody is where they should be. He then motioned me to move forward into the ballroom to stand, as instructed earlier by the Comptroller, to stand in line with the next usher – who was there as my marker. If I missed my queue – hearing my surname – I would be tapped on the elbow… The Lord Chamberlain introduced me “Miss Jane Hopkins, MBE for services to Entrepreneurship” as he did this the Equerry in waiting reminded the Queen who I was as I approached, whilst she took the Decoration that was destined for me, from velvet cushion being held by the Master of the Household.
I walked forward 3 paces turned to my left met eyes with the Queen, curtseyed; she gave me a gentle nod of acknowledgement and I walked to what is called the Dais which is where she was waiting for me.
She leant forward slightly to attach the decoration to a pin that had been fixed in place upon arrival in the reception room earlier. She asked me about what I do and we spoke for about a minute. To be honest my recollection of the exact conversation is vague but I know it was warm and friendly, and she seemed genuinely interested in me. It ended with both a beaming smile and a handshake from the Queen…my cue to leave.
I took my 3 steps backwards; curtseyed once again, received a second gentle nod from her Majesty, I then turned to my right and left the ballroom and it was time for the next in line to have their moment.
Awesome.
I was then whisked to a side room to be interviewed for the press. I then joined the other now decorated people in the main ballroom to watch the remainder of the ceremony. The national Anthem marked the end, and the Queen left the Ballroom by walking down the aisle in the centre of the room flanked by her Gurka Officers.
And that was it.
I then met up with my family again and we walked back down the long hallway to the main reception room and back to the quadrangle where the photographers were waiting for us.
We took millions of photographs here, as photography was not allowed inside then we headed back through the gates, and the palace guards and drove up the Mall heading for home.
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32 comments
Sarah Wickins says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:00 pm (UTC 0 )
Wow Jane! Congratulations! That brought a bit of a tear to my eye! Loads of congratulations – you must be so proud! Bloody well done you! x
Jane says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:25 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you Sarah, Glad to hear it! We were all very emotional on the day too.
Ann Williams-Maughan says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:06 pm (UTC 0 )
Well done Jane, your family must be very proud. Sounds like you had an awsome time and you look stunning. The Mums Business Club North East team and members wish you all the very best for the future.
Jane says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:26 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you Ann, that’s lovely to hear. I’ll come up to see you all soon if I may.
Dawn McLean says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:08 pm (UTC 0 )
Amazing! I would have been nervous beyond belief. Well done Jane. A fantasitc achievement which you truly deserve!! Dawn xx
Jane says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:28 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you Dawn, I was quite apprehensive about it but the ushers at the Palace are incredible and put me very much at ease and were on hand to supply me with tissues! And then the Queen was so welcoming, my nerves just went.
Elaine says:
March 16, 2012 at 10:45 pm (UTC 0 )
Congratulations – sounds like you had a great day – amazing detail in your blog there – memories forever
Jane says:
March 17, 2012 at 8:33 am (UTC 0 )
Thank you Elaine, I though you’d appreciate the detail being the super-blogger you are
thanks for reading x
Helen Neale says:
March 16, 2012 at 10:46 pm (UTC 0 )
Wow, that’s fantastic, Jane. But no less than you deserve for all the hardwork you put in and all the support you give us working mums up and down the country. Well done, you.
Jane says:
March 17, 2012 at 8:32 am (UTC 0 )
Thank you so much Helen, its great to hear that mumsclub has helped so many mums. Let’s see if we can reach more of the 1.4 million self employed women out there…
Tracey Hurst says:
March 17, 2012 at 4:20 am (UTC 0 )
Jane what an amazing feeling it must have been to have been recognised for all your hard work and how lovely that you had Jamie and your Mum and Dad to see it too. They must be beaming with pride. You truly deserve this recognition for everything you do to help us mums to succeed in business as well as being such a lovely person too.You are a real inspiration to me x Tracey
Jane says:
March 17, 2012 at 8:26 am (UTC 0 )
Thank you Tracey, that’s lovely of you. You’ve met my Mum of course, yes they are still beaming xx
Julie Maxted says:
March 17, 2012 at 9:19 am (UTC 0 )
Wow-saw the retweet from Suzanne Dibble and just had to send
Julie Maxted says:
March 17, 2012 at 9:21 am (UTC 0 )
Wow-fantastic news Jane, just picked up a thread and had to send you my congratulations …
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you for reading Julie, I hope it gave a good outline of the day. jx
Lisa Baker says:
March 17, 2012 at 9:34 am (UTC 0 )
I’m sitting on the train on my way to London with hubby, were off to see the wizard of Oz, not the queen.
And I have tears running down my face (not a good look) with PRIDE and HAPPINESS knowing such an amazing women and friend has had a life changing experience to which I know will be the catalyst for the most exciting life ahead. Well done xxx
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 12:41 pm (UTC 0 )
Thanks Lisa, you know more than most what my life is like so thank you for posting xx
Kizzy says:
March 17, 2012 at 9:51 am (UTC 0 )
That has made me cry, I am so proud as I am sure everyone who knows you is You really do deserve this for everything you have done and been through to get here.
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 12:41 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you Kizzy, that’s lovely of you to say xx
Sharon-Elaine Chapman says:
March 17, 2012 at 12:33 pm (UTC 0 )
Amazing! Well deserved, your family must be very proud of you. You are the first MBE I have ever known! xx
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm (UTC 0 )
Thanks S-E, I’ve never known one either and I’m not sure it’s quite sunk it yet. Not sure it ever will to be honest. They are very proud, I had tea out with my mum and dad last night – they even told the waitress, it’s a little embarrassing!
Sarah Dening says:
March 18, 2012 at 10:52 pm (UTC 0 )
Amazing Jane – I’m sure your family must be very proud. Well done.
Was there a last minute dress change?
Jane says:
March 23, 2012 at 3:23 pm (UTC 0 )
Yes there was, well spotted Sarah!
Juliet Robinson says:
March 24, 2012 at 9:43 am (UTC 0 )
Hi Jane,
I’ve only just read about your amazing honour and achievement! Many congratulations and what a moment in history for your son to grow up with. Well done for all your hard work and effort, you are such an inspiration to so many mums, your family and friends must be so proud of you.
.
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you Juliet, that’s really lovely of you to say. Hope to see you again soon x
Jo Fazel says:
March 24, 2012 at 3:53 pm (UTC 0 )
wow!!! totally awesome achievement Jane and very well deserved! mumsclub was there for me right from when I set up business and I’ve met so many contacts and found so much helpful information there that I would have been lost without it! keep up the good work
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm (UTC 0 )
That’s really lovely to hear Jo, thank you. You’re running a great business so I love that mumsclub has been useful. You keep it up too! xx
Heidi says:
March 24, 2012 at 4:24 pm (UTC 0 )
Congratualations Jane! How wonderful and very much deserved. What an experience this must have been for your family and especially your little man! x
Jane says:
March 24, 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you Heidi, my little man is very proud, although was quite embarrassed when I went into school to talk to his class! Thank you for reading x
Fiona Lewis says:
March 25, 2012 at 9:24 am (UTC 0 )
Wow, Jane!
That is the most wonderful thing to happen. You are such a deserving person of this recognition and I take my hat off to you.
Jane says:
March 26, 2012 at 8:06 pm (UTC 0 )
Thank you very much Fiona x
Clare Kennedy says:
May 15, 2012 at 11:09 pm (UTC 0 )
How very proud and pleased I am for you and your lovely family, such a wonderful memory to be treasured always.
I met the queen once. My @mrkevkennedy was invited to the world premiere of “a miracle on 32nd st”. It was an unbelievable time, I was so excited, I booked myself into fortnum and mason for a hair appointment before hand. I spent the rest of the evening looking like Marge Simpson. I looked a right numpty. But you know what, I was star struck by the queens presence, what a lady. A true inspiration to all us ladies out there as are you. Thanks for sharing your hope and inspiration with us all xxxxxx