London, October 1940
Anna went to the front desk of the Savoy to collect the mail. She returned to their apartment, sat down in the living room and began sorting through the letters and bills. One letter caught her attention: it had the Royal Coat of Arms on the back. She carefully opened it taking care not to rip the envelope and slipped out a card with gold edging.
BY THE KING’S COMMAND
A Reception
Will be held by
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS KING GEORGE
And
QUEEN ELIZABETH
In the garden of Buckingham Palace
Saturday November 16th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admit
Brigadier Jack Doherty and Mrs A Doherty
At the Grand Entrance, at the Grosvenor Gardens Gate, or the Constitution Hill Gate.
Just as was her mother-in-law Lucy, back in 1910, Anna was stunned and excited. She couldn’t wait for Jack to get home so she could tell him the news. She started to plan her wardrobe but soon realised nothing would be suitable. A shopping trip to Oxford Street would need to be undertaken.
Jack walked in the door at about six and Anna nearly bowled him over, throwing her arms around his neck and jabbering something about the King and Queen.
‘Whoa, hold on honey! What’s going on?’
‘We’re going to meet the King and Queen. At a garden party! At Buckingham Palace. I’m so excited!’
Anna showed Jack the invitation.
‘Honey that’s wonderful, but the chances of actually meeting the King and Queen are pretty slim. There’s going to be lots of people there.
‘I don’t care, there’s a chance. Besides, how many people do you know who’ve sipped tea at Buckingham Palace?’
‘Not many I must admit.’
‘I’m going shopping for a new outfit on Saturday. I think I’ll take Bridget with me – she knows all the best shops.’
And so it was for the next few weeks; all conversation at the dinner table revolved around the Royal garden party.
Finally the day came and at 3.30 pm an Embassy motor vehicle, a black Buick Phaeton, arrived at the Savoy. Anna looked stunning in her Norman Hartnell outfit and together with Jack in his Brigadier’s uniform they looked the perfect American couple.
They showed their ticket at the gate and walked into the magnificent gardens with white marquees and fountains shooting streams of water into the air.
Initially they were not sure what to do, but then Anna spotted Harry and Julie. They quickly walked over and after the normal greetings agreed they should enter one of the marquees and avail themselves of a cup of tea and a dainty sandwiches.
Jack and Anna had been at the garden party about an hour when Harry sighted George and Elizabeth mingling with their guests.
‘Well Anna, here’s your chance to meet the King and Queen,’ Harry said jovially. ‘They are very nice people I can assure you. Very friendly.’
‘What! You’ve met them?’
‘Oh yes, a number of times actually. So has Julie. One of the benefits of owning a title.’
‘You’ve never mentioned it to us before. Why not?’ Anna inquired.
‘I don’t know. Didn’t think you would be that interested.’
‘I’ don’t believe you Harry - you English are so laid back!’
While this conversation was taking place the King and Queen had moved closer to the group. Before they knew it, Jack and Anna were shaking the hands of the British monarchs.
King George inquired about Jack’s reason for being in London. When Jack explained that he was the Military Attaché his ears pricked up.
‘Brigadier Doherty today is not the time, but I would be very interested in hearing your views about the war in Europe and America’s attitude. Would you be so kind as to contact my office on Monday and arrange a mutually suitable time to talk?’
‘Yes your Majesty. Of course.’
‘Splendid! I look forward to seeing you again shortly. Ask for Major the Rt Hon. Sir Alexander Hardinge. He is my secretary and will arrange things.’
Meantime Queen Elizabeth chatted to Anna and Julie, not about the weather or the gardens but about living in London during wartime.
The weather had been perfect and so had the day. Anna spoke with the Queen and Jack would have the same opportunity to brief the King, as did his father before him.
During the war, King George and Queen Elizabeth remained in London for most of the time, at Buckingham Palace (the Palace was bombed nine times during the war). The Royal couple visited severely bombed areas in the East End of London and elsewhere in the country. This gained them great popularity.
The King developed a close working relationship with his wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, as most of Europe fell to Nazi Germany.