Legendary musician Paul MacCartney shared with his memories of the meetings with the Queen of the Great Britain.
“I feel privileged to have been alive during the whole of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. When I was 10 years old I entered an essay competition in Liverpool and won my division for my essay about the British Monarchy so I have been a fan for a long time.
In 1953 when the Queen was crowned everyone on our street in Speke, Liverpool finally got a television set and we settled down to watch the Coronation in glorious black and white.
Looking back I am honoured and amazed to see that I met Her Majesty eight or nine times and each time she impressed me with her great sense of humour combined with great dignity.
Firstly, when The Beatles got the MBE on 26th October 1965. I remember us being taken aside and shown what the correct protocol was. We were told how to approach Her Majesty and not to talk to her unless she talks to us. For four Liverpool lads, it was, “Wow, hey man.”
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
The next time we met was some years later at the Royal Albert Hall on 13th December 1982. Part of the evening included some orchestral re-workings of some Beatles songs and I remember chatting with Her Majesty about them. She also re-introduced me to Prince Philip who said he remembered our previous meeting in the sixties!
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
In June 1996 The Queen graciously agreed to open the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts on the site of my old school that George Harrison and myself attended. She also had previously given a donation which the school was very honoured to receive.
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
Just one year later and our next encounter was a very proud day for me. It was one of the best days ever. It was a wonderful day and I remember thinking I’d come a long way from a little terrace house in Liverpool!
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
It was a new millennium the next time we were together again and what an occasion it was! Celebrating her Golden Jubilee, we got to rock out in her garden. As Her Majesty was on stage receiving applause at the end of the show I joked, ‘Well I suppose this will be happening next year then?’ to which she replied, ‘Not in my garden it won’t!’
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
We were to see each other again shortly afterwards, but this time on my home turf! I was very honoured to be given a painting exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery, which John and I had visited on many occasions as students. It was my extreme privilege to be able to show Her Majesty around the gallery.
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
A decade on Nancy and I attended a special event titled Celebration of the Arts at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and it was a thrill as ever to talk with Her Majesty.
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
On June 4th 2012, The Queen would celebrate her Diamond Jubilee and it was so special in many ways.
Photo: Paul McCartney’s archive
Our last meeting came in 2018. When I was given the Companion of Honour medal I shook her hand, leaned in and said, ‘We have got to stop meeting like this,’ to which she giggled slightly and got on with the ceremony”.
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