An amusing tale has come to light of the day Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was caught 'on the throne' during a visit to Lancaster Town Hall.
Bob Bailey, clerk of Carnforth Town Council, got in touch with Beyond Radio to tell us a story of a funny moment involving the Queen that reduced her husband Prince Philip to hysterical laughter in the town hall.
It happened during the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Lancaster in July 1999, on the same day she unveiled the Eric Morecambe Statue in Morecambe.
Mr Bailey said he was "honoured" to have been asked to be a steward on the day, and was given a very important role.
"I was stationed outside the ladies toilet on the balcony at the Town Hall that had been designated as the Queen's Privy for the day," he said.
"The Queen duly and very regally paid a visit!
"On the opposite side of the balcony was a colleague who was positioned at the door of the Banqueting Suite where the great and the good of the district and beyond, including Sir Robin Day (the TV broadcaster who had attended the Eric statue unveiling ceremony, see photo below) were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Royal couple.
"Having seen my colleague I gave her a cheery wave and, of course, she waved back.
"Unfortunately, a rather nervous and eager to please Master of Ceremonies, took her wave to me to be his cue to grandly request the gathered dignitaries to be 'upstanding for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip'.
"Of course, everyone immediately stood, eyes fixed on the entrance to the Banqueting Suite.
"But the Queen was, well, 'still on the throne' you might say!
"Panic ensued and a highly embarrassed MC had to ask everyone to sit down again.
"Moments later, the Queen came out of the toilet, gave me a momentary nod, and then noticed that Prince Philip who, was of course nearby, was laughing hysterically.
"As the Queen approached him, I distinctly heard Prince Philip say 'The man's a blithering idiot!'
"To this day, I'm certain that he was referring to the MC and NOT me!"
Mr Bailey (pictured below) said it was "a great day in the presence of the Queen" and hoped our listeners and readers would find the story amusing as a light-hearted example of the Queen's great sense of humour.
Morecambe FC’s Head of Commercial returns to club
PHOTOS: Traffic light flattened after crash near busy Lancaster city centre junction
PHOTOS: New Tesco Express supermarket set to open in Lancaster
Crews tackle Lancaster caravan fire
High street chain Savers opens in Lancaster shopping centre
Talks held on Morecambe UK Town of Culture tilt
Morecambe FC announce appointment of Chief Operating Officer
Cat rescue champion hits out after Lancaster supermarket removes charity's collection point
Businesses wanting to team up with Eden Project Morecambe invited to drop-in event
LISTEN: Film festival in Lancaster area to show powerful stories of refugees
Disappointment for Lancaster as 2026 International Youth Games called off
New car parking spaces open in Lancaster city centre
Stars to play in celebrity football match in Morecambe in memory of brave teenager
U-turn confirmed on decision to pause Autism and ADHD referrals across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Promenade will NOT close during £2.6m electricity works
Thumbs up for design changes marks start of "transformative year" for Eden Project Morecambe
Bolton-le-Sands pensioner, 81, targeted in telephone courier fraud banking scam
LISTEN: Up to 200 homes between Slyne and Bolton-le-Sands refused
Volunteers plant 120 native trees at Royal Lancaster Infirmary as part of major nature recovery project
Celebrating 25 years since opening of Lancaster’s iconic Millennium Bridge
