LADY MARY PETERS – PAYING MY RESPECTS TO THE QUEEN

Ulster Tatler’s Joanne Harkness spoke to Lady Mary Peters after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Lady Mary Peters had a close relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth and the entire Royal family, having being given the role as Lord Lieutenant of the City of Belfast in 2009-2014 and later becoming a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter in 2019. Becoming a member of the Garter is an exclusive honour with only 24 members in total, all of whom were chosen by the Queen herself. During her time as Lord Lieutenant she had many meetings with the family. “Anytime the Royal family visited Northern Ireland I would meet them at the airport and accompany them and we would always have a lovely chat.”

People throughout not only the United Kingdom, but the whole world, have been deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the news of her death will be a moment we will all remember. Mary explains how she heard the news: “I was extremely sad at hearing the news, especially as she had been working just two days before her death. I had just had my 50-year celebrations of winning my gold medal and was leaving a friend back to the airport. When I got back home I put on the television to see the news that she was gravely ill, so I knew it was serious. I am glad she didn’t suffer too long, but she will be sorely missed.”

As a member of the Garter, Mary was invited to the Committal Service at St George’s Chapel, a more intimate service, attended by the family, the Queen’s household, personal staff and realm prime ministers.

“I stayed within the castle grounds the night before the funeral and I could hear the piper rehearsing, it gave me goosebumps. Also that night we went out for the minute silence and suddenly there was a little sprinkling of rain; it was as though the sky was crying. The next morning I had breakfast with the staff, you could almost cut the tension with a knife – there was so much love and affection, but also a sense of anticipation for the service.”

The state funeral was watched by more than 29 million people in the UK alone and it was certainly an occasion to be proud of. “We watched the Westminster Abbey service on television and not one of the military people were out of step, it was amazing to watch. I take my hat off to the pallbearers, I can’t imagine the pride their parents must have felt seeing them carry out such an important job. When they entered St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle you could hear a gasp going through the congregation – they did everything impeccably.”

The next day Mary had the opportunity to visit the headstone. “It has her mother and father’s names and then hers and Prince Philip’s names. It also has a star in the middle, which is the same star I wear as a Member of the Garter, that felt very special.”

Along with grief comes everlasting memories that can be cherished, which Lady Mary certainly had with the late Queen Elizabeth. “I had the privilege of meeting her on many occasions, the first being back in 1968. One memory that sticks out was when I attended Princess Anne’s 50th birthday at Buckingham Palace and I was standing looking at some photographs when I heard a lady’s voice asking me ‘have you seen Philip anywhere?’ – it was the Queen. I thought ‘wow’, she is asking me where her husband was.”

Looking ahead to the future, Lady Mary believes that the Monarchy is in good hands with the new King. “I think King Charles will do really well, I admire and respect him greatly and I know some great kindnesses that he has done – I think he will be a very sensitive, caring King.”