Sandringham: scene of a sense of fun

A rose for a rose: The Queen Mother at Sandringham Show in 1996

The Queen Mother’s zest for life was founded in the way she treated every day as the start of a new adventure.

We in Norfolk have so often watched that infectious enthusiasm, energy and good humour as she carried out her Royal duties.

Her joie de vivre was never more evident than at informal visits in West Norfolk.

She made no secret of her affection for the area she knew for well over 60 years since King George VI first brought her to Sandringham.

The house, scene of many family get-togethers, held cherished memories for the Queen Mother. Though she always enjoyed a protracted New Year stay there she always left before the anniversary of the King’s death at Sandringham in February 1952.

While the Royal Family mostly see the country retreat in the depths of winter, the Queen Mother always spent a week there in the summer. Her stay enabled her to attend King’s Lynn Festival, of which she was patron, and to visit the annual Sandringham Flower Show.

The Queen Mother first attended what began as a horticultural show for estate workers in 1948. She never missed a show and saw it grow to be a major event attracting visitors from all over Britain and abroad.

The occasion epitomised the Queen Mother’s love of life, her humanity, warmth, sincerity and interest in people.

She would spend some 90 minutes at the show, nearly as long as on that first visit, renewing many acquaintances as she toured the marquees. Although the pattern was the same each year, it was never a boring ritual. The Queen Mother’s interest and enthusiasm enabled her to treat every visit as if it were her first.

She delighted in every specimen rose she was given, taking time to breathe in its perfume, knowing it was a favourite pose for press photographers.

While flowers and humans wilted in the oppressive heat of scent-laden marquees, the Queen Mother jauntily kept walking, talking, waving and smiling.

The Queen Mother meets youngsters at the opening of the new Norwich Airport terminal in 1988.

She always patronised the charity tents and it was always a matter for speculation what happened to the dozens of matinee coats, covered coat hangers and shopping baskets she must have accumulated over the years.

The Queen Mother was never deterred by bad weather either, refusing to alter her fashion style even on a wet day. She just put a cape over her shoulders and carried a transparent umbrella so the crowds could still see her happy-coloured outfits and jolly hats – and she still wore her favourite high-heeled shoes, even in wet grass.

Such were the circumstances at one show — but the weather could not dampen the Queen Mother’s spirits.

As she prepared to leave one marquee it wasn’t the teeming rain she thought of but the 10-deep crowd waiting to cheer her. She turned to her party: “Are you all ready?” she asked, a positive twinkle in her eye.

“Isn’t she marvellous,” gasped a friend, still amazed at this Royal gem.

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