Alexis Mostrous
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2005. At a G8 Summit dinner hosted by the Queen, news has broken that London has won the 2012 Olympic bid.
As the evening was winding down, the Queen and Prince Philip caught my eye. “Marvellous news, Mrs Blair,” she said quietly, giving [Jacques] Chirac a covert look.
“Of course,” said the Prince, “I’m so old, I won’t be here then.”
“Oh, sir, please don’t say that. I certainly hope you will.” And I did. I was actually quite fond of the old boy.
“Well, one needs to be realistic,” added the Queen. “It’ll be for Charles and the boys, not for us.”
How terrible, I suddenly thought. How can we have the Olympics without the Queen? She smiled, and moved away.
Strange how things turn out. I found the idea that the Queen might not be there quite upsetting.
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What a hypocrite!
Mary , Cardiff, UK