Ian Mulgrew: The day I shared a joke with Queen Elizabeth II

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The royal blue-and-gold yacht Britannia crossed the worldwide border within the Strait of Juan de Fuca shrouded in mist.

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As its bow emerged flashing into the sunshine, the ship was greeted by a flotilla of Canadian Armed Forces escort vessels, canoeists, and a cacophony of horns and hurrahs.

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In Victoria, greater than 15,000 erupted in adulation, cheering and whistling because the Queen started a four-day go to carrying a darkish lilac mohair coat and a turban-style hat.

They stood six deep across the interior harbour, undaunted by the blustery winds and showers.

Folks lined rooftops, they perched in timber, and people inside buildings pressed in opposition to home windows hoping to glimpse the royal couple on their first tour of British Columbia collectively in 12 years.

It was March 9, 1983, and it was their fourth go to — in 1951, they got here when she was nonetheless Princess Elizabeth, in 1959 on the royal practice, and in 1971 to assist have fun the a centesimal anniversary of B.C.’s entry into Confederation.

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This time, there was no scarcity of enthusiasm.

All over the place, folks thronged and jammed the streets. She strolled, shaking palms, smiling, and chatting right here and there, oblivious to the intermittent rain.

The safety all however vanished and kids ignored rope cordons. Gone had been the 230 officers that accompanied her within the U.S.

Regardless, sitting within the Empress Lodge’s Bengal Lounge lubricated by expense accounts, Brit and colonial reporters alike later joked about “Bat Ears, Brenda and not-your-average-restaurant Greek.”

Their tone modified when the 100 or so invited scribes had been led on board the stately Britannia to be launched to the Queen and Prince Philip.

Clutching our gold-bordered invitation, we almost froze to demise standing on deck ready to be introduced. Officers reminded us once more — and once more — that every part stated was personal.

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However we’re a scurrilous lot, so let me inform you what the Queen stated: nothing. She requested well mannered questions on this and that. Queried on the Falklands, she smiled silently and glided on.

I can’t inform you what the Duke stated. He guffawed so much, mumbled, and didn’t even discover the nice columnist and author Allan Fotheringham making an attempt to attract his consideration to his tie embellished with tiny depictions of the notorious prime-ministerial, one-finger salute.

The yacht’s officers, in the meantime, had been stuffed with tidbits.

Between mouthfuls of cold and warm canapés plucked from silver trays, I realized that sq. home windows had been royal compartments, spherical portholes denoted crew quarters.

The Queen introduced 15 tons of baggage together with her.

The whole lot on board was labeled with small black-and-white plastic nameplates: “Royal chilly larder,” “Royal vegetable cooler,” and “Royal linen closet.”

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Mounted on the partitions, I famous, had been presents the couple had obtained over time — swords produced from sharks’ tooth from Kiribati, state daggers from New Guinea, and a large whale bone, “picked up by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on the seaside of Deception Island …”

There additionally had been silver gilt galleons, as soon as used as wine coolers, from the sixteenth century, and priceless china on the Chippendale sideboards.

I by no means discovered the pinnacle. They requested us to go away, our hour was up.

In a single day, the ship sailed for Vancouver.

Shortly after daybreak, scores of delight boats greeted it on the opposite aspect of the Salish Sea, accompanying the ship into English Bay and underneath the Lions Gate Bridge. It rounded Brockton Level in Stanley Park to the sound of a 21-gun fusillade.

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The Queen stepped ashore carrying a yellow-check wool coat, an identical pleated costume in crepe de chine, and a burnt-straw hat trimmed with navy.

She obtained a tumultuous welcome. Even the prime minister was drowned out by cheers:

“This nice flotilla which adopted us on the glistening sea, these lovely mountains, this dramatic skyline, this metropolis which might be one of many two or three most lovely sights on this planet …”

Later, the Queen pushed a button that triggered a cement mixer to unload and development to start on the multi-million-dollar Canada Place growth.

Within the afternoon, on the largest indoor occasion of her 30-day tour of North America, she stood in entrance of greater than 30,000 folks inside what was then Canada’s solely domed stadium (though not fairly completed) and invited the world to attend Expo 86.

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Below blossoming cherry timber, she walked by the multitude whereas an enormous, pink heart-shaped balloon hovered overhead bearing the message, “Elizabeth, we love you.”

It was the identical wherever she went. Kids and adults alike had been speechless after speaking to her. Seasoned journalists cooed about their transient chats together with her, irrespective of how widespread the remarks.

Spectators stored a relentless vigil over the smooth yacht each time it was moored at Victoria, Nanaimo, or Vancouver, hoping for a glimpse of the aristocrats.

To finish the tour, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau hosted a gala dinner on the Bayshore, and I used to be chosen because the pool reporter — the journalist who gathers all the main points and quotes, afterward briefing the remainder of the media for whom there is no such thing as a room.

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“Britannia now appears like a floating flower store,” the Queen exclaimed on the glittering reception.

The beautiful meal included beef, salmon and home wines, and the monarch was gorgeous in a royal blue velvet costume studded with sapphires.

Sporting the dazzling diamond tiara given to her by her grandmother Queen Mary and a resplendent sapphire necklace, she confided being “very touched” by the heat and loyalty of the large crowds.

The 400 invited company exploded in applause.

“Your Majesty, you characterize these qualities of character and dedication, that resolute spirit and concern for others which Canada and Canadians want in these tough and hopeful instances,” stated the prime minister, accompanied by B.C. songbird Ann Mortifee.

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“We’re comfortable that you simply and his Royal Highness are right here amongst us.”

As they had been leaving, the queen noticed me, stopped and prolonged a dainty hand.

“Ian Mulgrew, your majesty.”

“And what do you do, Mr. Mulgrew,” she inquired.

“I run up and down between Alaska and California writing information tales for Canada’s nationwide newspaper, The Globe and Mail.”

“Only a small parish then, Mr. Mulgrew,” she stated together with her Mona Lisa smile.

“Sure, your majesty,” I replied. “Just a bit smaller than your individual.”

The smile warmed, her eyes twinkled, and she or he moved on.

I’ll keep in mind that — not the crowds, not the pageantry, nor the yacht, however that Queen Elizabeth II may share a small parish joke with me or anybody.

That’s the reason she was cherished.

imulgrew@postmedia.com

twitter.com/ianmulgrew

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