"A white ‘C’ was painted on the tarmac just in case"

Tuesday 13 September 2022

When eight-year-old Claire Stanley prepared to meet the Queen around 40 years ago, one of the key things she had to remember was to curtsy - a white 'C' was even painted on the harbour tarmac just in case she forgot.

She shared her memories of the day with Express...

“I have been thinking about it a lot recently,” says Claire, who was chosen to present the Queen with a posy when Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh came ashore at the Albert Pier in 1978.

“It’s something that’s always stuck with me, that particular day. It was a privilege to meet her.”

Claire had entered a competition put on by the Harbour’s Department for the children of staff members, and to her surprise and delight, she was chosen.

Pictured: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arriving at Albert Pier.

Next came the rehearsals to make sure everything went well on the day, which was the morning after the Royals had hosted a reception aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia which had moored in St. Aubin’s Bay.

“Rehearsals involved learning to curtsy and finding my way to stand in the right place at the right time. 

“A white ‘C’ was painted on the tarmac just in case. My mum bought me a new dress, my hair was in clips and I had new shoes,” Claire recalls. “It was nerve wracking, but all went swimmingly from my eight-year-old perspective. She accepted the flowers graciously, thanking me, and was on her way with a busy day ahead."

Claire remembers that the Queen was wearing an emerald green suit, but she it was a quick turnaround for as Claire who was due perform at another Jubilee celebration.

Pictured: Claire says she has always distinctly remembered the Queen's emerald green dress.

“My parents had to get me to Grainville where I was taking part in the Grouville Gym Club gymnastic display, so it was out of the dress and into a leotard,” she continued.

“It was an honour to meet the Queen and a wonderful day for me and my family. Like so many others, I’ve never known life without her, and I respect and have been inspired by her constancy, responsibility and commitment to duty, qualities which are in short supply.”

Pictured top: Claire Stanley presenting the queen with poesies in 1978, curtsying over a white 'C' painted on the floor.