Select a region
One element of the Queen's personality that many have so fondly recalled was her humour and gentle teasing - something the Lieutenant-Governor's former right-hand-man directly experienced.
As Chief of Staff at Government House to five Lieutenant Governors, Charles Woodrow met the Queen on a number of occasions.
He was responsible for ensuring that two occasions she visited Jersey went without a hitch.
Describing himself as a ‘lackey in the background’, he would liaise with the Queen’s Private Secretary and the Royal Household when she visited the island.
The last time she came here was in 2005 for the 60th anniversary of Liberation from Occupation when the Queen and Prince Philip stayed at Government House.
Pictured: A photograph of all staff working at Government House in the year 2000 - one year before Her Majesty's fifth visit to Jersey - when His Excellency General Sir Michael Wilkes KCB CBE was Lieutenant-Governor. (Jersey Heritage)
Before settling in Jersey with his family, Lieutenant Colonel Woodrow met the Queen on three separate occasions while serving in the British Army when she awarded him the Queen's Gallantry Medal, the Military Cross and an OBE.
"She was a very astute person," he recalled.
"If she asked you a question, you gave her the right answer, you didn't make it up. She was absolutely dead straight but lovely. When she presented me with the OBE, it was my third decoration for service in Northern Ireland and she said, 'Not you again!'"
In 2012, he was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his time serving the Queen's Representative in Jersey. The award is made at the discretion of the monarch and does not have go through the Cabinet Office for approval.
Pictured: During his 23 years in post, Charles Woodrow assisted five Lieutenant-Governors and oversaw 35 visits from Royals. (Jersey Heritage)
While Col Woodrow felt his role was to be very much in the background during Royal Visits, there was one occasion when the lines on royal protocol became a little blurred.
"The Queen was saying goodbye at the Airport and the normal protocol was to say goodbye to the Bailiff and the then finally the Lieutenant Governor. These were the days when the airfield was less stringent about rules and there was a crowd behind a rope. After she had said goodbye to the Governor, two children broke free and raced up to her. I realised no one was with her and I barged my way past people so that I was alongside her so that when she met them, she would not be surprised. They had a shell and a flower, and she said, 'thank you very much' and got on the plane.
"She was a very, very remarkable woman and if you ever want an example of someone who does their duty, she is one."
Right-hand-man to five Lieutenant-Governors steps down after nearly quarter of a century
Memorable moments from Prince Philip's visits to Jersey
Out this morning: Remembering Notre Duc.
A special digital edition featuring unseen photographs, memories of the Queen, and a close look at our Royal relationship.
Exclusive to daily news subscribers. Sign up for free now so you don't miss out.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.