Queens Baton Relay
I've just returned from London having had an unforgettable experience thanks to UNICEF and Bannerman High school.
I am honoured to have been asked by UNICEF to attend a Banquet at Buckingham Palace for Youth Education and the Commonwealth and to have been presented to the Queen and Prince Philip: a memory I will cherish.
I returned from London having attended the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace where, along with another 25 other pupils from Bannerman. I was one of the flag bearers for the commonwealth countries.
We met with Sir Chris Hoy and Alan Wells, our First minister Alex Salmond and we were part of launching the baton relay around the Commonwealth countries and an exciting lead up to the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in July 2014.
This had been such a thrill and an amazing experience. Just before breaking up for our mid-term break the school told me I had been chosen by UNICEF to go back down to London to meet the Queen at this Banquet.
I really still couldn't believe this was happening and the reality only struck when the invitation from Her Majesty the Queen inviting Miss Mairead Stevenson to attend the Banquet arrived in the post.
My whole family was so excited. We just kept looking at the postmark from Buckingham Palace and my mum has said I need to frame the invitation. Having my official invitation the next step was getting the dress.
If I was to represent Bannerman and UNICEF I had to look the part! Not an easy task to pick the right outfit - It's not every day you get to meet the queen. Eventually Mum and I agreed and we were all sorted on that front.
I met with a reporter from the evening times as she wanted to run a piece about me meeting the Queen. The lunch was on Friday but I had to be at the Palace for 10.30 so I travelled down to London on Thursday and had a bonus day of sightseeing and shopping. I felt like a celebrity as whilst shopping I was speaking to the Palace PR team. They wanted to prepare me for the event as I would be interviewed.
When I stopped for a juice or a rest I thought about questions I might be asked about UNICEF and the importance of the Commonwealth Games.
When Friday morning finally arrived I was excited but really ready for the experience. I had an early breakfast and took a taxi to Buckingham Palace. The sun was shining and Buckingham Palace looked fantastic.
Crowds had already gathered outside the Palace and the area in front of the Palace was cordoned off for visitors to the Banquet. I had been given a sticker for my taxi which let the driver take me to the front gate.
I presented my ticket and passport to the policeman at the gate and proceeded through the palace gates. You can imagine that I was desperate to get my phone out and take so many pictures but unfortunately I wasn't allowed.
I had to check my phone in at the cloakroom in the palace. What an experience to actually be inside the palace. It was so beautiful particularly the pink sofas with the gold trimming. I made my way into a reception area where we were served drinks. Then the moment arrived. I was going to be presented to the Queen.
I can't describe how excited and fortunate I felt to be given this opportunity. I was a bit nervous as I approached the Queen but she had such a dazzling smile and twinkling friendly blue eyes that I immediately felt at ease. It was a real pleasure. After shaking hands with the Queen I moved along the line to shake hands with Prince Philip.
He was very friendly and joked with me about having the baton in my suitcase! I then had an opportunity to meet some of the other guests and to talk again with Prince Philip who asked me about my future ambitions and encouraged me to try to travel to further my education.
It was also inspiring for me to talk to some of the other guests about their education. I met a girl who was studying Law at Brunel University and had started her own business and a girl from India studying at Cambridge and a young person from Canada working in the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
The other guests also represented other countries in the commonwealth. I was happy to be able to share the good work of UNICEF and the excitement for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The staff in the palace were so welcoming and the Queen and Prince Philip were so warm and friendly that this was an amazing experience.
It was a real privilege and honour. I’m hoping that I can continue to have some involvement with UNICEF. I can't thank UNICEF and Bannerman High School for this wonderful experience. I will treasure the memory.
Mairead Stevenson
S6 Bannerman High School
published 11/06/2014 by Online Submission
last update 02/06/2014