The last issue of Newsweek had in it a blurb about the death of Winston Churchill III – grandson of the famous Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II. I was sorry to read of his death but it made me recall a very pleasant memory of meeting him once.
My high school was affiliated with the English Speaking Union and I got to participate in their exchange program that allowed me to go to England for an extra year of high school. It was an amazing year. In one class, we studied Hamlet for the whole year!
There was a special Jubilee celebration that year and Queen Elizabeth invited some of the exchange students to an event at St. James Palace. It was a thrilling experience just to go into the palace. We were assigned to specific rooms and I was sent to the Queen Anne room – one room away from the Throne room. That was when I met Winston Churchill III who was a Member of Parliament. He was so kind to me and when it was time for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to come through our room he showed me just what to do.
We all put down our food and drink and formed a corridor from one door across the room to another door. The Royal couple walked through the room slowly and I managed to curtsy to the Queen and she smiled at me. Then Prince Philip stopped to speak to Mr. Churchill. To my surprise, he introduced me to the Prince and told him I was from Mississippi. I honestly can’t tell you exactly what we said to each other. It was a blur even as it was happening. The next thing I remember was leaving the Palace and meeting up with the other students at the Hard Rock Cafe – a new “hot spot” in London.
Another bonus of that year in England was the good friends I made. Akkie was a friend who came over the next summer to be a counselor at camp. Four of Akkie’s six children have also come to camp and we are looking forward to Helen returning to us this summer.
When you embark on a new experience you never know in advance what you are going to get out of it or what you’ll remember most about it. Hopefully, you’ll make a friend or two – some you’ll stay in touch with and some will just be a happy memory. Rest in peace, Mr. Churchill.
Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney
