Remembering the Queen

The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last week brought to mind a spring evening 31 years ago when I had the opportunity to dine with that great lady and her husband, Prince Philip, and about 200 others at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library in Austin. I was a very young journalist working for wire services at the Texas Capitol and had snagged an invitation to the dinner through Gov. Ann Richards’ son, Dan, who was my date for that event. These photos show the receiving line and the invitation for the dinner, which consisted of artichoke citrus soup, Gulf shrimp Remoulade, Tenderloin of Texas beef with truffled Madeira sauce, potatoes Savoyarde, asparagus, and what I presume was a dessert called Texas Star Royale. Llano Estacado wines were served. The Queen enthralled the assembly with her grandeur - and those jewels! I remember reading and re-reading the etiquette card sent to guests by the British ambassador and doing exactly what I wasn’t supposed to do – grab Her Majesty’s hand before it was offered – when my turn came in the receiving line. But what a thrill it was! Photo Submitted by Gina Keating