The day I met the Queen

Ellis Construction had been the main contractors on the refurbishment of St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy on Fitzroy Square. It was different to a normal refurb, more a reconstruction and fit out. The whole building (originally two town houses in 1920) was gutted and left with the original frame and exterior cladding. We found the remnants of what must have been a very early steel frame instead of the expected concrete. Redesign of the structure and the introduction of numerous steel beams and columns to suit the new layout ( and the new top storey that projects above all the other buildings in the square) meant the programme extended from 26 to 39 weeks.

I had the dubious pleasure of explaining all this to the Rev Paul Thomas, who was the client's representative, at a succession of final account meetings. Having been threatened with the intervention Archdeacon Hayward, and possible excommunication, we agreed on a final sum. And I was still invited to the re-opening by the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on 8th March 1995.

Architects, other consultants and representatives of the contractors were distributed throughout the building, some were to be met by the Queen and others by the Duke. There were five of us stationed on the second floor landing of the back staircase. The itinerary reads "3.45pm The Queen's Party moves to the rear staircase to the 2nd Floor. Half way up this staircase will be assembled architects, engineers and contractor's management staff."

Approaching the time, an equerry came up the stairs and told us the Queen was near and reminded us the formalities of how to address her. He left and a few minutes later, a smart little old lady, on her own, wandered up to meet us. She was introduced to each us in turn. When it was my turn to shake the Queen's hand, the only recollection of the question she asked and my reply was something about the number of people employed on the project. By this time her party had caught up and they were off up the stairs.

Fifteen minutes later we were in the marquee erected especially on the hospital gardens in the square for the Queen to unveil a plaque. Tea was served and at 4.30 the royal party left. Mike Ellis (the MD) suggested I join him for drink to celebrate, so we grabbed a taxi to central London and found a bar. It had been some day.