Keith Payne VC reflects on his moments with the Queen

An Aussie hero from North Queensland had a remarkable decades-long association with the Queen. Now, he’s delivered a touching tribute as he heads for London to farewell the “royal above royals”.

Keith Payne’s bags are packed for London where he will join dignitaries from around the world in farewelling his “old friend”, Queen Elizabeth II.

Speaking exclusively to the Mackay Daily Mercury and Sunday Mail, the Victoria Cross recipient recalled the moment he first met the Queen in 1954 when she toured Australia as a new monarch.

“She was a very charming lady,” Mr Payne said

“Her dress, even her voice, it was great.”

On that trip, Mr Payne was assigned to the royal car company, opening doors for Her Majesty and clearing the way for her as she walked.

After receiving the VC medal for valour in Vietnam, Mr Payne and the Queen would strike up a decades-long association and the pair became, in the Queen’s own words, “old friends”.

Keith Payne is awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) by Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony on-board the Royal Yacht 'Britannia' in Brisbane, Queensland in 1969.

“We were in a drawing room in the palace, the Australian contingent at the time, which was Mark Donaldson (VC recipient) and myself,” Mr Payne said.

“The Equerry came in with the Queen and he introduced her to Mark and a little bit of a talk, then he went to introduce me, and the Queen just said to him, ‘Oh, Mr Payne and I are old friends’.

Later that day, the Queen and Mr Payne would talk again for five minutes and over the years, they met dozens more times.

Mr Payne said he had prepared himself for the Queen’s passing but there was still great sadness when the announcement was made.

“I was sorry to see her passing, however I had accepted it in my mind,” he said.

“She proved to be not only a Queen, but a royal above royals.”

Queen Elizabeth II meets Australian Victoria Cross and George Cross holders (L-R) Micheal Pratt GC, Mark Donaldson VC, Keith Payne VC, at a reception for the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, at Buckingham Palace on November 10, 2010 in London, England. Photo: Dominic Lipinski

Over the years Mr Payne has witnessed first-hand the depth of feeling Australians have for the Queen.

“I have been in Brisbane and Townsville with her when she was meeting Australians, the crowds,” he said.

“And you could see, I’d call it love, I suppose, love of the Queen.”

Mr Payne wants to go to London for the funeral at Westminster Abbey if his body will allow.

First, he must pass a physical but is confident he can do so.

“I have got no disability that will stop me except my age,” he said.

Vietnam War veteran and Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne at the Mackay ANZAC DAY march 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Mr Payne’s son Colin Payne said he would accompany his father on the trip, which has been set up for some time as part of Operation London Bridge.

“I will be flying over as his carer,” he said.

“The Queen made a specific request to have VCs for Australia, New Zealand and for Canada, if any were awarded, and also the GCs, to attend in the procession of heroes.”

The Paynes plan to fly to Brisbane on Monday morning and then go to the physical on Tuesday.

All going to plan, they will travel to Sydney on Tuesday afternoon and then fly to London on Wednesday morning.