The Royal Visit.... yes I said the royal visit....

We were HUGELY privalidged to welcome Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on Friday last week. I didn't really sleep on Thursday night I was too nervous/excited and worrying about everything I still had to do. Prince Willem-Alexander and his lovely wife Princess Màxima also accompanied her and the royal party were given a tour of the sensory garden including the Taste, Smell, Sight and Sound arbours.

Her Majesty was very interested in all the plants and the fetaures of the garden. She commented on the different scents of the different coloured frangipani's, the travellers palm, the Yellow Alamandas and she asked about the scrap metal Dragonfly that Analisa Brown created earlier this year.

After their short tour they were introduced to Hannah Madden and the Junior Rangers and the kids gave her a short presentation each on why nature conservation is important on the island and what they liked about being a Junior Ranger. They did such a good job and we were all very proud of them. Afterwards they presented some little gifts and some pitcures they had drawn and decorated for Her Majesty and were able to have some photos with the royal party.

It was an amazing day, a lot of work to lead up to it but so worthwhile. There were probably in excess of 50 press people there covering the visit and so that was great publicity for what we are trying to do.

Check out the pics below and as always.... much love from the garden on the golden rock ; )

The Queen asked about the artist and so I was able to tell her all about Analisa.

Mike explaining stuff to the Prince and Princess.

Louis doing his speach for the Queen.

Coral laughing it up with the Princess.

Me telling the Queen all about the Travellers Palm.

Posing with the Junior Rangers.