Princess

A real life princess visited today, not just one from our fairy tale workshops! Princess Alexandra (the queen’s cousin) came to celebrate the 900 years of LC. The time capsule will be buried, to be opened in 100 years, on the millennium anniversary.

It was a hot and humid day that started with two classes of year 5 boys coming for a Monarchy & More workshop. They were all good sports and great actors, embracing the idea of dressing up as both kings and queens.

I had time for a quick coffee before heading down to the castle for some photos of the red carpet and display of then and no photos, which are fabulous, well done to the marketing team! As HRH was due, the main drive was closed, which meant a walk to the main entrance to give out tickets to the children from the local school who were going to cheer the Princess as she unveiled the time capsule plaque. Job done, I had to walk back as well! As I approached the Gatehouse, I noticed the special security chaps refusing entry to a couple of ladies because they had no ID with them. OMG, it was Lady Baillie’s granddaughter and great granddaughter, specially invited for the ceremony and evening dinner. Lady Baillie was the last owner of the castle, who gave it ‘to the nation in perpetuity’. I intervened and told the chap they were with me, flashed my badge and marched them in! We had a lovely chat before the Princess arrived and the speechifying took over! Some of my team (looking very smart) were attending the afternoon tea and being presented to the Princess, and several more going to the glamorous gala dinner tonight. I had declined, as it’s not really ‘my kind of thing’.

A lot of money spent on this and some other events over the next few weeks, I’m not sure if I agree with all of it, but today was a good day. The collage shows Princess A with our chair of trustees, the time capsule, the (really ridiculous) red carpet over the croquet lawn and a couple I took on my walk to and from the main entrance.