1999-10-28

It was a very routine start to the day. I did have one lecture for " Modernisation and Democratisation ", and the campus looked completely normal except for a big tent built for the Queen's reception. The work crews, who had been working day and night to get the new road completed and have all the lamp posts painted, did manage to get everything done in time. The police were waiting for us to leave the classroom after our lecture, because they were securing the building. Even though many of the bobbies were in their black combat fatigues, they still didn't carry any guns.

I did not get to see the Queen and Prince Philip's arrival, because I was racing to get into my suit at this time, but friends said she was wearing a fuscia dress and was followed by a reporter who looked like Hugh Grant (!) The Queen then went into the Chapel to give a little speech before going up to the new road in front of the innovation centre, which is still under construction.

Meanwhile, Katrin (who complained that my suit was a little wrinkly, and that my shoes were not shiny) and I made our way to the reception at Keele Hall. There was no real security check, and I easily brought in my camera which I later learned I was not permitted to use.

Inside the Hall we waited a half hour for the Royal Party to arrive. Katrin, the other three international students chosen to see the Queen, and I formed a little group with the " Skills Society `s" representatives and waited with our respective co-ordinators to be introduced.

Very few people were having tea or sampling the little cakes at this time. I was a little surprised to see that the refreshments were just very fancy, very tasty, 'common food' such as carrot cake, fudge brownies, and Boston cream pies. We all stood around and waited, and were instructed on the titles to use when speaking. " Your Majesty " to the Queen, " Your Royal Highness " to the Duke of Edinburgh. The ladies could curtsey (left foot behind right) but bowing was acceptable for them too.

This chat made us all a little bit more nervous, so we didn't quite notice Prince Philip's entry. The Royal Party was running late, so the Prince attended the tea party first, while the Queen finished her affaires across campus. The international students were fairly close to the door (near all the cakes) in this L-shaped room, so it was not too long before he made his way to our little group.

He was dressed in a very very conservative blue suit, nothing as fancy as the No.1`s his attendant wore. His Royal Highness first shook hands with the Kenyan and the Mexican students and made small chit chat, " where are you from?, what are you studying? " He then spoke with the Japanese student next to me, and spent a good while trying to find out what sort of career he was hoping to pursue, since his Japanese university's degree does not have an official major.

After that it was my turn to meet the Duke of Edinburgh, and he asked me where I was studying. My response prompted him to say that he was in Vancouver once. His Royal Highness asked me what I was studying. Remarked on how many students among us were studying international relations. I said it was a good program at Keele. He said a couple other things that I have forgotten, and that was pretty much the extent of my encounter with the Duke (I could not help but notice the bloody cyst on his head, but I did not say anything.)

Then the Prince moved on to Katrin, and after hearing that she was studying English and History, asked whether she had learned English before she came to Keele. She said yes, " Oh, that's very good " was his reply, which offended Katrin, because her English is very good and obviously so. I was thankful that he at least under-estimated the German and not the Japanese student. (Prince Philip recently told some British students studying in East Asia that they should not stay there too long, because they might go all " slitty eyed. ")

So off the Prince went to repeat the same procedure for everyone else in the room. When the Queen finally arrived twenty minutes later, the room immediately fell silent. Her Majesty was escorted around by a fairly casually dressed women, and repeated the same routine that Philip made, which was to be introduced to each group sequentially.

This time, the International co-ordinator and students got a hold of the official photographer, and insisted he take photos of us. The Queen came along and met, the Kenyan, the Mexican, the Japanese, and then ME! Her Majesty extended her hand immediately (black wool gloves) so I did not have to wait to receive it. She asked me where I studied and reminded me that it was very nice in Vancouver. Then Her Majesty said nothing for a very long three seconds, so I was staring down the Queen for a bit (which you are not supposed to do!). Finally she asked what I was studying, and whether my program " fits " with an exchange year abroad. I told her that the my courses should transfer quite easily, chosing not to mention the horrific ordeals I have gone through at both UBC and Keele trying to get the courses I need. To that she replied " Splendid! " and moved onto Katrin.

At this point, I was watching the cameraman more than the Queen, hoping that he would take a picture with me in it. Thankfully he did, so hopefully it will come out well, and I will not have my eyes closed or my tie crooked. After chatting with Katrin briefly, with me leaning into the conversation for photogenic purposes, the Queen went on the next little group, and the International Students breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The Queen looks like she could be anyone's grandmother, and I would not have recognised her if she passed me on the street. Although, I might have made a double take to check out her slightly silly hat. We then helped ourselves to the refreshments, as all students would, and watched Her Majesty try to lead the introductions in the direction of the serving table so she could get a look at the cakes.

Katrin and I then asked whether the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire would be in a picture with us, and we chatted with him for a bit. His official duty of entertaining the Queen whenever she is in the county requires him to wear his " No. 1's " with cutlass and everything. After the conversation, I peeked into the library where all the Ladies in Waiting and attendants were having their tea and little tiny sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

So the Queen left shortly thereafter to go to the sports pitch and climb into her helicopter that whisked her away. The ironic thing was the least important people, such as us exchange students, were standing nearest the door and consequently received the earliest and longest introductions. The more promminent Keele Students and Faculty, such as the Student Union Executive and the Head and Vice-Chancellors were furthest from the Queen so that when it was decided that Her Majesty could not stay any longer (she was 45 minutes behind schedule), the Keele elite were shafted and did not get the formal introduction.

Having signed the guest book, off went the Queen and Prince Philip and we were left to our tea, cakes and little sandwiches with the crusts cut off.