The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marks the end of Britain's longest reigning monarch and a truly remarkable life. In the days following the news, we asked our team to share their opinions on the impact she had had, and we were surprised to discover the personal stories that many of the Maddisons team or their family members had encountered during her reign. In honour of Her Majesty, we wanted to share them with you.

Sharing stories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

 

Deborah Richards, Managing Partner of Maddisons Residential, saw The Queen in her previous job at Coutts.

"I saw The Queen  when I was working for Coutts on The Strand.  She was due for a meeting with her banker, which only happened every few years, and we were allowed  to look over the balconies from the first floor down onto the main banking hall below. I remember thinking how beautifully dressed she was  – a beautiful cream dress with a matching hat covered in jewel embellishments.  She was very petite atonly 5’4” - I had imagined her to be much taller. I joked to one of my colleagues that maybe she would prefer a female banker, and I would be happy to oblige, to which I was told she much preferred the company of men!”

Deborah also shares the story of her grandfather and grandmother meeting her.

“My grandfather met The Queen, when he was awarded an OBE in 1985 for services to medical science.  He was thrilled that she opened the conversation with him with her trademark question “have you come far?” and he and my grandmother remembered the day very fondly.

James Richards, Partner and Director of Lettings, shares his story of meeting The Queen whilst wearing a kilt!

I met the Queen and Prince Phillip when attending a charity event at Holyrood Palace in 2010 - I wore my family tartan which was commented upon by her Majesty as the majority of other guests wore black tie. I was also able to share with them in conversation that my grandfather was a Royal Archer and had attended many Royal engagements. A little more spurious was that I had had my name down to attend the same school in Scotland as King Charles …  my grandfather and Uncle attended the school but given that we were living in Tunbridge Wells, I thankfully passed the requisite exam and was able to go to a local school. It is strange to think though that I could have potentially attended an ‘Old Boys’ event with His Majesty!

Milly Stedman, Sales Progression Manager at Maddisons Residential, went to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

" I saw The Queen at a garden party at Buckingham Palace, which I attended with my father… I am afraid I didn’t get very close so there’s not much of a tale to be told however. My mother has been to numerous garden parties though and saw her on several occasions. She also looked after Prince Philip for the day during one of the events she organised as she was Fundraising and PR Director for an Armed Forces Charity.”

Emma Bennett, Sales Director, shares the story of her mum meeting The Queen

"My mother met The Queen in Tokyo when she was working for the British High Commission in Japan in the mid 1970’s. She remembers the encounter well and there is a picture of them together which I now have, which my children find fascinating.”

 

We will remember Queen Elizabeth II for many reasons including her dignity, her passion, her good humour, and the way she served our country with such grace for over 70 years.