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.
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