CELEBRATING THE ROYAL FAMILY

An upcoming book A Personal Portrait of The Royal Family, documenting one man’s remarkable life spent meeting and photographing The Queen, The Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales has been given the green light by Candy Jar Books.

72-year-old Colin Edwards describes himself as an ardent Royalist, and you’d be hard-pressed to begrudge him this title.

It all began on 2nd June 1953 with Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Although just 12-years old, Colin vividly remembers this historical occasion. He says: “My family was one of the first in the street to own a television, so our lounge was filled with friends and neighbours for the event. The atmosphere was fantastic, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been a Royalist ever since.”

Since that momentous day, Colin has spent much of his life touring the UK to attend Royal events, often waiting hours for a brief glimpse of The Queen.

©2013 Colin Edwards

He continues: “I get such a buzz from it. I’m always on ‘cloud nine’ after meeting Her Majesty. It is the anticipation of this euphoria which keeps me going, no matter how long I have to wait or how cold it gets. Everyone is there for the same reason. I have met some wonderful people at these events, and we often share photos at the end of the day.”

In A Personal Portrait of The Royal Family, Colin shares his experiences through a series of photographs. His style is a far cry from typical paparazzi snapshots, as he captures a natural, softer side of the Royal Family. These pictures are interspersed with delightful anecdotes in which he recalls his personal experiences with the Royal family. These heart-felt moments include the first time Diana, Princess of Wales, addressed him by name, and his delight at The Queen Mother attending one of his photography exhibitions.

Amazingly, Colin has never kept a diary. “I never expected that my experiences would be turned into a book,” he admits, “so it never occurred to me to write anything down.”

Thankfully, Colin has been blessed with a fantastic memory and, with the aid of his photographs, he has been able to remember and record his Royal memoirs. Behind the book is a genuine gentleman, whose aspirations for the book are as honest and humble as his love for the Royal Family: “I just want people, Royalists like myself, to enjoy it”.  

A Personal Portrait of The Royal Family is due out later this year. The book also contains selected images of Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

It can be pre-ordered at www.candyjarbooks.co.uk

Megan Jones

EILEEN RECEIVES ROYAL MAIL

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on the horizon Sully resident Eileen Younghusband had a real surprise when she recently opened her post.

Whilst sifting through the usual assortment of bills, Eileen was surprised to see not one, but two envelopes bearing the Royal seal. The letters were in response to correspondence sent by Eileen, who had posted a copy of her book, One Woman’s War to both Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Charles. Eileen, who is 91 in July, was extremely proud to receive the letters. She said: “At such a busy time for the Royal Family I feel quite humble that they had time to write to me.”

Eileen, who is former a WAAF Officer, was five when Her Majesty was born. She has followed the Queen’s progress with great interest, especially when Her Majesty joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the female branch of the Army, in 1942.

Eileen still has vivid memories of the Coronation in 1953 and the Silver Jubilee in 1977. She said: “On the day of the Coronation I was at the Winter Gardens in Ventor, Isle of Wight. It was fantastic to see the young princess from the ATS ascend to greatness. During the Silver Jubilee we were in California, but watched it on US television. The Americans have always been Pro Royal and so the news channels were going mad over it. We drank a toast with fellow UK nationals and I erected a large Union Flag at the front of our house.”

During the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Eileen had moved to Wales for the festivities. This particular celebration holds a special place in Eileen’s heart as, having lost her husband. Eileen was alone and in a new community. Her new neighbours invited her to a Jubilee party and it was through the celebration of Her Majesty’s reign that Eileen felt welcomed and secure in her new environment.

This time around Eileen will be celebrating Her Majesty’s 60-year reign in a more significant way. Over 4000 beacons are to be lit on Monday 4th June. This will take place throughout the UK, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man along with the Commonwealth and UK Overseas Territories. One of these beacons will be lit in the small village of Sully where Eileen now resides. She said: “We have been granted a special honour. Having the letters, the lighting of the beacon and the Jubilee so close to my 91st birthday makes it all the more wonderful.”

In a recent YouTube message Eileen sent her best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen. She said: “Your Majesty, may I send you my personal thanks for the years of service you have rendered to our country. I hope you enjoy every glorious moment of the celebration of your Diamond Jubilee.”

Eileen’s book ‘One Woman’s War’ is available now from One Woman's War

Candy Jar Books

For video production in Cardiff visit www.candyjarfilms.co.uk