Carlisle United's Paul Simpson recalls meeting Queen Elizabeth II during his Derby County days

The Carlisle United manager remembered his encounter with Elizabeth II whilst a Derby County player in the 1990s.

He was in the Rams squad when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited Pride Park in 1997 to open Derby’s new stadium.

And Simpson said his young son Joe threatened to steal the show.

“It was very quick – I was stood in a line, and she came and shook all our hands, her and Prince Philip,” the Blues manager said.

“There was a lot of protocol around it – you only speak when you’re spoken to – she just said hello and that’s all I said.

“Prince Philip passed me and asked where was I from, and I said I’m from Carlisle. He looked at me and went, ‘Oh, wow, that’s a long way…’ Which is isn’t really from Derby but that was his response.

“They were lovely. My eldest son Joe, who would have been about eight at the time, and Igor Stimac’s little boy Luca had to present the Queen with two Derby County kits for the two princes [William and Harry].

“The Queen said to Joe, ‘Thank you, is that for me?’

“He looked [at her funny] and went, ‘No, it’s for the princes.’

“I’m not sure how she took that. But they didn’t really know the etiquette when speaking to the Queen.”

Simpson recalled the story as United prepare to take part in a show of respect for the late monarch tonight.

The Blues’ game at Mansfield Town will see participants wearing black armbands, while flags will be at half-mast, a minute’s silence held and the national anthem played.

Simpson said it was important the game paid its respects to the Queen and her family as football returns, having seen matches postponed over the weekend following her death.

“I think it’s important for everybody,” United’s manager said. “There’s been a huge amount of respect shown throughout the country for the Queen.

“She put in incredible service during her reign. I think if we all had the dignity and work ethic she had then we’d all be living in a much better place.

“She was obviously a very poorly lady, yet two days before the passed away she’s meeting and greeting with a new Prime Minister. She obviously got herself dosed up on some sort of paracetamols and got herself out there.

Paul Simpson praised the Queen's work ethic - including her meeting with new Prime Minister Liz Truss just two days before Her Majesty's death (photo: PA) (Image: PA)

“Fair play to her for doing that.

“She’s been fantastic for our country and we’ll pay our respects before our next couple of games, and then the matches afterwards can be a good spectacle for the supporters who turn up as well.

“We now move on and we’re in a time now where we’re singing God Save The King, which is all very different.”

Simpson said he has great respect for the Royal Family, having also met the Queen’s grandson William five years ago.

He was invited to Kensington Palace with the England Under-20 squad after they won the World Cup in South Korea.

“I know there is divided opinion of [the Royal Family, but] I’ve got a lot of respect for them,” he said.

“I’ve been really fortunate to meet the Queen, and really fortunate when we won the World Cup – I got a personal letter from William, and went to his house to meet him.”

READ MORE: Blues set for return to action as EFL confirm games are back on

The decision to postpone football games at all levels over the weekend was a topic of debate, but Simpson said he respected the decision.

“There’s no point me having an opinion on it. We have to just follow what the authorities decide,” he said.

“We can all kick up a stink. I watched the cricket on Sunday where England’s cricketers were unhappy they came off, but rules are rules, you have to follow it.

“If the authorities have made that decision, we just go with it. Whatever way they thought was the right way to show the respect to the Queen, I’m quite happy to go along with it. If that’s what they decided then so be it.”