Roy Jacques tells story about Queen Elizabeth II visit to Cairns

A photographer has recounted the time he met the Queen in Cairns detailing his sneaky attempt to get behind security guards. But what happened when he finally met her was truly hilarious. Read his story.

A PHOTOGRAPHER so determined to get a photo of the Queen during one of her three visits to Cairns has recounted how he made up an ID card to get past bodyguards.

Roy Jacques, of Dimbulah, said during Queen Elizabeth II visit in 2002 he made every attempt to get the best picture.

“I was following her for as long as it would take for me to get the photo I would get,” he said.

“That for me was very important because she’s one very highly noticeable person in the hierarchy of the world.

His first attempt didn’t go so well.

“She went to a separate hangar and I went to the gate and they wouldn’t let me in,” he said.

“I went home took my own photo, cut it out, made a small picture and put ‘official photographer for the Cairns Museum’, which I was really but had never had an ID.”

Mr Jacques said his second attempt worked as the bodyguard took him down to meet the Queen.

“In one of the photos I said, ‘watch the flamin’ step’ so she would not trip up. She just laughed and went on her way,” he said.

“Everyone burst out laughing. I thought I should’ve said ‘oh your majesty’ watch the flamin' step.”

Mr Jacques said the Queen had a big impact in his childhood.

“In our schools, we sang God Save the Queen every morning. That’s how it was. I am 86 years old, I have seen it all,” he said.

“In 1953 I joined the armed forces and during my apprenticeship being a soldier, we had to line all the streets of Wagga Wagga.”

The Queen’s presence has been felt by many in the Far North. Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin reminisced of her significance.

“Her Majesty the Queen has been a constant figure in my life and the life of my family,” she said.

“I was one-year-old when she visited Far North Queensland in 1954.”

“I have a deep admiration for a world leader who was steadfast and totally committed in her duty to her people. I will remember her for the extraordinary leader she was.”

Originally published as Roy Jacques tells story about Queen Elizabeth II visit to Cairns