Mike Royden's Local History Pages

This arose as a result of my involvement with the project to research a write a history of the Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool(see publications).

This was to celebrate the bi-centennial celebration of the oldest school of its kind in the world. As patron, the Queen was invited to visit the School in the anniversary year, 1991. Prior to the visit I was asked to prepare an exhibition on the History of the School using illuminated display boards and archives and artifacts. I was to introduce this to the Queen, while talking about the foundation of the school. This was to last about 10 minutes.

She arrived outside to be greeted by our local M.P. David Alton.

When she entered the School my room was to be her first point of call. I was alone in there, very nervous and desperatly trying to remember what I was going to say. As no one is allowed to walk in front of her, for a moment we were alone in the room - a wierd moment. She was swiftly followed by the press who gathered at one end of the room ready for the first introduction of the day.

As I took her hand all the cameras went off - famous for a nano-second! I then went through my spiel without too much trouble (but with too much fawning).

I was impressed by how much she knew about the school already. The Queen showed great interest in the archives, asking question throughout.

After she had made a full tour of the School, she was presented with a special leather bound copy of my book as a momento of her visit.

Later we received a thank you letter from the Palace, with a thank you for the book.

Local History

Local History
Contents Page

Mike Meets the Queen

Local History

Local History Contents Page

Mike Meets the Queen

Local History
Contents Page