Royal invite comes 'out of the blue' for Buckie woman
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A BUCKIE woman has been invited to join the congregation at the National Service of Thanksgiving for King Charles III at the start of next month.
Set to be held at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, the event will see the King presented with the Honours of Scotland – the oldest crown jewels in Britain. He will be joined by Queen Camilla with William and Kate – the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay – also due to be present.
The last time the service was held was in 1953 for the late Queen Elizabeth.
Royal fan Alice Cowie was left stunned when an invitation to the event on Wednesday, July 5 dropped through her letterbox.
"I've no idea why I've been invited or who put my name forward," she said.
"When I opened the letter I thought 'What's this?', it was totally out of the blue.
"I keep pinching myself, it feels strange to think I'll be there to see the King receive the Scottish crown. I'm looking forward to seeing Camilla and I've just discovered William and Kate will be there, I'm so excited.
"There'll be thousands of people are expected to be out lining the streets along the route of the procession to the cathedral.
"I will have my invitation and order of service as a keepsake and I just can't believe I'll be watching an important part of history at such a prestigious event."
As part of her invitation, Ms Cowie is allowed to take one guest and has nominated friend Heather McLean.
It will not be the first major royal event Ms Cowie has attended.
She continued: "I went to Westminster last year to view the Queen lying in state; I had to queue for very, very, very long time.
"It was a very emotional time for me and on my way to Westminster Hall I was very pleased to see King Charles, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward arrive and leave the hall to take part in the Vigil of Princes at Westminster Hall, the timing could not have be better.
"Another memory that will stay with me is going to the Floral Tribute Garden at Green Park. The fragrance of the flowers hit me as I exited Green Park tube station and the amount flowers with Paddington Bears was staggering."
