On 5th June many Livery companies enjoyed Lunch with Her Majesty the Queen, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at Westminster Hall. The lunch was hosted by Livery companies who were encouraged to invite guests from a cross section of the public from around the country. Over 70 Livery companies attended. Averil and I invited three guests – Peter Stephens, winner for the Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, Sylvain Bordas, winner of the top prize in the BMF exams, and Private Simon Harris from PWWR, winner of the Best Soldier Award.
The Master and his wife Averil arrived at Westminster Hall around 10.30am and at 12 noon the doors were locked awaiting the Royal party who had been as St Paul’s. They arrived around 1pm and were escorted to their seats which were on different tables in the room hosted by one of the Livery companies. The Master Mercer spoke on behalf of the Livery movement, all of which was televised.
The Royal party left around 2.30pm. It was a splendid occasion and we felt extremely privileged to have been involved in such a prestigious event. It is a memory that will be impossible to forget.
