Our members remember Queen Elizabeth II

I presented flowers to The Queen in her Jubilee year

Lee Ede, Westham Evening WI and Blooming Zoomers WI, East Sussex Federation

I was 13 when I met The Queen and Prince Phillip in 1977, the Silver Jubilee year. The city of Bath was Jubilee-mad and the gardens were amazing. We had rose petals from people’s gardens to shower the Queen’s car as she was driven past. I remember the scent of the roses being so strong, and I still love it to this day.

I presented her with a bouquet. The Queen was beautiful, and seemed very pleased to be there, and was extremely thankful for the flowers. She seemed surprised that I had got them just for her. Prince Phillip walked over to us and asked how long we had been waiting. He thanked me, seeming genuinely touched.

I have really happy memories of meeting the royal couple, being with my mum who was a Royal Family fan, and excitedly telling my dad that night on the phone. I will treasure these memories forever.

I gave Her Majesty a hand massage

Claire Brown, Wittenham WI, Oxfordshire Federation

After learning about reflexology from a course at Denman in the 1980s, I began to teach massage in Oxfordshire. In 1997, I was asked to run a workshop for a VIP who would be visiting the local school and health centre, after my WI contacts recommended me. Little did I know it would turn out to be Her Majesty the Queen! I was instructed that none of my students bring cameras or wear hats on the day.

When the day arrived, I made sure to set up the room to be cosy. When I look back, I was almost Blue Peter badge potential with my homemade ambiance – relaxing music, closed curtains and candles. Then the press arrived. I am not a particularly assertive person, but my students said that I put the press in their place: they were not to put on lights, nor to open the curtains, as I wanted Her Majesty to really experience the calm and warmth of the room.

Her lady-in-waiting came and said that Her Majesty was coming down the corridor! The door opened and in she walked. After the introductions, we had a little chat and Her Majesty talked to each of my students in turn, which I thought was lovely as it made it a special event for each person.

Then I asked if she would like a reflexology hand massage. Her Majesty agreed and we sat down. I had no idea the importance of my next comments, but I asked if she would mind taking off her white gloves. She did - and all the cameras began to flash!

Whilst massaging her hands, we spoke about reflexology and our respective WIs: Sandringham WI for her. People constantly ask me what she was like, and I can distinctly remember that to me her hands were the hands of a grandmother, with carefully manicured nails, but nothing over the top. Her Majesty stayed over her allocated time with us, and her lady-in-waiting came back three times to hurry her on. I take all of that as a compliment. She also took the aromatherapy oil that I had made for her.

What I had not realised was that apparently The Queen never normally took her gloves off and that day she had shaken 200-300 hands. Our little event was something incredible. The story went international – I made it into Hello! magazine and I even had friends in Canada who saw me on the newspaper front pages. It was a truly memorable time.

I bumped into The Queen by accident!

Jane Sampson, President of Ashmore Green WI, Berkshire Federation

I didn't actually meet the Queen as such – I bumped into her by accident! It was about 15 years ago when I was on holiday with a friend in Scotland. It was April and the weather was very drizzly. We decided to call in and see Balmoral Castle.

When we drove in, along the forest trail, we could see Land Rovers and gamekeepers in plus fours. We headed towards the stables to see an exhibition of work by local artists which was on display in the stalls. I remember giggling about one of the pictures.

As I turned around, a small person with a raincoat was next to me - The Queen! I smiled at her, and moved on in shock. We headed off to the ballroom, which was the only room in the Castle that was open, and she walked in there too. As we walked through the door, The Queen's security guard smiled at me and said, ‘That doesn't happen very often!' He wasn't wrong!