Hilary received the invitation in recognition of her work during the COVID pandemic. She returned from retirement and tirelessly assisted in the vaccination programme, doing sessional shifts with Covid patients at Didcot Community Hospital while continuing her role at Continuing Health Care.

Hilary said:

“It was a great honour to receive this invitation for my work during Covid. It was even more of a delight to be able to take my 90-year-old mother with me as she is an avid royalist.”

“We travelled up by train and the GWR staff couldn’t have been more helpful. My mother was in a wheelchair and needed special assistance – we were upgraded to first class which was wonderful!

“On arrival at Buckingham Palace we stood in a queue and the friendliness and helpfulness of the police and the guards on duty was amazing.

“We enjoyed our tea – cucumber sandwiches, of course! –  and watched the royals having theirs.

“Afterwards we had a wander around the grounds, which were beautiful, and then back to Paddington for our train home. My Mother is still enthusing about the day.”

Hilary added:

“Whilst I was privileged to go to the Palace, I recognise that there are many, many people who have worked incredibly hard over the last few years and deserved to go as well!”