MRS Mead’s photo of our Queen visiting Princetown in the 1950s brought two questions — ‘were you there during her visit?’ No! Very much in Twickenham at grammar school and assisting my late father in our family building business.

Then ‘have you ever met Her Majesty?’. When touring with international cricket teams from 1972 to 2004 in this country, I had the pleasure of seven visits to Buckingham Palace in the enormous ballroom for a reception, during which we were all introduced to both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

On my final visit in 1999 ,with the Australians during the Cricket World Cup, the Duke said to me ‘not you again!’.

It was always a thrill to drive through those famous palace gates in the team coach — my only regret was never meeting the Queen Mother — obviously not a cricket fan!

Happy days!

Tony Smith

Lydford