The Mayor of Carlisle, Brampton’s Mike Mitchelson, has shared one of his treasured memories of Her Majesty the Queen.
Mike reminisced when he and his wife, Anne, were tasked with looking after the Queen and Prince Phillip 20 years ago.
Speaking to the Cumberland News, Mr Mitchelson said: “I was leader of the council back then so that's how I ended up in that role.
“The Queen and Prince Philip were going around the country, part of that visit was both myself and Anne had to look after the Queen and Prince Philip for about an hour or so.
“We met her on Castle Street and took her through Tullie House and then to the castle where she was visiting a garden party with people all over the county.
“You're pretty nervous in advance about the responsibility of looking after the royalty, but as soon as everyone's been introduced she just made you feel so at ease, she's really nice and warming, and what was outstanding about it is the humour and the wit which we kind of expected from Philip but the Queen had great wit which was exceptional.
“On our tour of Tullie House we had to take her through some of the exhibits and in the main gallery, there was a painting loaned from her collection which she recognised and knew all about it.
“She was absolutely so down to earth, the time passed we were chatting amicably about the things that were going on in Carlisle, and that's what stuck out to us in how down to earth she was.”
It didn’t all go exactly to plan, however, as Mr Mitchelson explained: “Philip got into trouble because he kept wandering off, she was shouting at him 'you should know by now that you're supposed to be behind me'.
“In the Millenium Gallery, there was an exhibit on the State Management Brewery, and Philip suggested that it was a good idea that the palace could have their own brewery.”
This, of course, was not agreeable with Her Majesty.
READ MORE: Crafters and makers to line street at inaugural event
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here