The day the Queen came home

Posted by noelbynature under National History
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Some readers may have read about the first time Queen Elizabeth II visited Singapore in 1972 (as well as a second time in 1989). On her first trip, she paid a visit to a family in Toa Payoh, at the time one of Singapore’s flagship new towns. Well it turns out that Jerome, the Wondering Wanderer, lived in the very flat and played host to the Queen! As if playing host to the Queen of England wasn’t enough, it turns out that Jerome’s family welcomed a whole host of dignitaries, including former Australian Prime Minister John Gorton and President Benjamin Sheares.

Jerome remembers the instant that the Queen stepped into the house:

When the Queen finally arrived at our flat that afternoon, I was caught somewhat unawares. The Queen come to the flat first before going up to the viewing gallery, but somehow ended up doing the opposite. I decided to sit down before she arrived and while daydreaming which I was fond of doing, Her Majesty had appeared at the doorway, and I was seen on the evening’s news scrambling to my feet!

Read about how Jerome rubbed shoulders with dignitaries from around the world here.

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