Queen Elizabeth dies: Night I shared a gin and tonic with Her Majesty

Slight in stature, with a welcoming smile - she was unhesitatingly engaging, remarkably astute and renowned for putting those around her at ease, writes Mark Jones.

Writing this a few years ago would probably have got me locked up.

It was 1992, I’d been covering a Royal tour of Australia like the rest of the accompanying media pack and had been invited by the Governor-general to Admiralty House at Kirribilli to mark its conclusion.

There it was in black and white, embossed at the top with gilt insignia, the official invite. I’d been commanded by Her Majesty for drinks at 6.30pm sharp. Suited up and eager to look around the historic pile, I first had to acknowledge to some very officious Men in Black with British accents that what was soon to be uttered stayed within its historic walls.

Opening my gob after my encounter might possibly be regarded as a breach of the Official Secrets Act after all.

The inevitable protocols were to be followed: Don’t touch Her Majesty unless she offers her hand, call her ‘Your Majesty’ first, then ma’am, don’t ask personal questions, etc, etc.

Queen Elizabeth II at Admiralty House in 1992.

Daily Telegraph journalist Mark Jones met the Queen in 1992.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of their coronation. Picture: The Print Collector/Getty Images

The assorted media were split into two groups, one channelled towards the Queen, the others towards her husband Prince Philip.

Moments later the giant panelled doors opened up to reveal the magnificent backdrop to Sydney’s crowning glory, its stunning harbour.

And there she stood. Elizabeth.

The invitation Mark Jones received to meet the Queen

Slight in stature, her welcoming smile immediately warmed the cold Victorian room. Unhesitatingly engaging and remarkably astute and renowned for putting those around her at ease. She immediately honed in on my quavering voice as I attempted an awkward conversation.

“That’s not an Australian accent,’ she immediately picked up. ‘No ma’am, London’. Whereabouts? The East End, your Majesty.

And that was that. Her eyes lit up. ‘The East End,’ she said. She quickly sought out her husband’s attention. “This fellow’s from the East End’. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, had loved the East End, sharing a special affinity with Cockneys, she explained.

Queen Elizabeth II during her 1992 Australia tour.

After the bombs fell on London during the Blitz in World War Two, the Queen Mother was recorded to have said: “I’m glad we [Buckingham Palace] have been bombed. Now I can look the East End in the face.”

So we talked about the Old Dart. The Queen’s mother had been loved far and wide for her quick witted sense of humour and her no nonsense attitude, no doubt gleaned from the working class East End. She had been famously pictured in a pub pulling a pint of beer just a stone’s throw from where I was born.

Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 in London. Picture: Paul Hackett/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the Palace of Westminster. Picture: by Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images)

After a brief time reminiscing, it was time for a drink and after a quick inquiry from her Majesty, a waiter was summoned and I was promptly served a gin and tonic. It was classic Elizabeth. As the G&T arrived you felt like old friends.

It was such a formidable skill, the reason she was beloved by all she met.

For me it was an evening I’ll never forget. Such a special moment. Such a privilege. Such a remarkable woman.

Originally published as Queen Elizabeth dies: Night I shared a gin and tonic with Her Majesty