A retired minister has recalled his special memories of the Queen after spending an extraordinary weekend with the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle.
Rev Ian Miller, of Bonhill, described his experience meeting Queen Elizabeth II at her Scottish home a “privilege” after she died there on Thursday last week.
He told the Lennox Herald of some of the most memorable parts of his two-day visit, including being driven by the Queen to a barbecue on the estate and the moment he thought he had said something he shouldn’t have.
Ian was invited to stay with the royals in August 2012 to conduct a Sunday service, shortly after retiring as minister at Bonhill Parish Church after 38 years.
During his two-day stay as a VIP guest, he got a rare glimpse into their lives, including being privy to conversations around the dinner table.
Ian said: “Among the most memorable moments for me was seeing her amazing smile.
“Hearing the news of her death did hit me because she was just a lovely person, sweet, interesting and engaging.
“She was remarkable and we will not see her like again.”
Describing, the moment he met her, he explained: “I remember entering the drawing room in Balmoral, which is the one seen in the photographs where she meets Liz Truss, and her smile was dazzling.
“There were no cameras around and she didn’t need to greet me like that but she was extremely welcoming.
“She went in and sat down at a little table with her back to me and said ‘come on, sit beside me’.
“She then got out a pack of cards and started playing Patience, telling me it helped to keep her mind sharp.
“We chatted away and she was interested about the Vale of Leven and we talked about the changes over the years.
“She was just so engaging and was asking lots of questions. The conversation was very much orientated around me. We talked about various things.”
Describing the moment he thought he had said something he shouldn’t have, he said: “There was a wee lull in the conversation at one point, and I said ‘Ma’am, if you don’t mind me asking, I always find it strange you decide to come up to Scotland and spend your holidays here’.
“She didn’t say anything back for ages and I thought ‘I’ve said the wrong thing’.
“But then, she turned around and went towards a window, outstretched her arm towards it, and said ‘there’s your answer’.
“Andrew’s two daughters Eugenie and Beatrice came into the room then and she said to them, ‘tell the minister why you love to come to Balmoral’.
“They rhapsodized about how it’s away from everything, where they could go without scrutiny. “She seemed to have quite a bond with them and they obviously had a real affection for their gran.”
Also in attendance over the weekend were Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Countess of Wessex Sophie Rhys-Jones.
After delivering the Sunday service, Ian was invited to a family barbecue and told how the Queen took the driving seat during the car journey.
He continued: “They had barbecues at the little cottages on the estate and it meant driving over rough terrain in the Range Rover.
“I remember her sat behind the wheel with her headscarf and when talking to you, she would turn full face to speak to you.”
He laughed: “I couldn’t well say to the Queen, ‘keep your eyes on the road’!
Ian previously told how “it wasn’t the kind of barbecue with hamburgers”, with Prince Philip making a venison spaghetti bolognese.
He went on: “Later, after stopping at the door of the castle in the car and she said to me ‘you will be okay. You will find your way in’.
“At that point about four or five corgis were around her feet and she started to walk off into the darkness with them.
“I said ‘are you going to be alright’? and she said ‘yes’ and then the darkness took over and she was gone.
“I thought she can do these things on her own and feel safe. She was very comfortable.”
Ian said he was made to feel very relaxed during his stay, adding: “I was struck by how ordinary they were. “Around the dining room table I remember at one point they were talking about a relative and he mustn’t have acted too wisely and they were talking about it, as we all do.
“It was a privilege. They were just excellent and had that ability to make you feel very comfortable and at ease.”
It wasn’t the first time Ian met the Queen, having met her as a young man during her visit to Kilbarchan to mark the village’s traditional Lilias Day in the 1960s.
Ian told of his shock at receiving the royal invite decades later, continuing: “I got a phone call and it was from an official at Buckingham Palace. He asked if I would like to go.
“He said in London, archbishops and bishops are invited but in Scotland she tends to invite ordinary parish ministers and I said ‘ordinary, I qualify’, though I don’t think he quite got my humour.
“I was quite nervous. I was running about in an old BMW at that time and I got a call from the Co-operative saying I couldn’t turn up in an old ramshackled car so they sent a stretch limousine to take me there.
“I must have been the only minister to turn up in a limousine. They must have thought I was a bishop or something!”
The Sunday service took place at Crathie Kirk parish church, a regular place of worship for the Royal Family when they are in residence at Balmoral.
Ian added: “I would usually spend some time asking questions to the children but what was funny was that Prince Philip answered the questions!
“They were very interested in the service. The theme was of Peter walking on water and what I said was that sometimes we have to take a chance.
“Princess Eugenie asked me afterwards for a copy of the sermon and I thought she was just being nice and didn’t send it but I got a call afterwards reminding me to send it so it must have moved her in some way.
“It was a wonderful experience and I feel very privileged.”
