Flashback to Queen Elizabeth’s 1977 Darwin football grand final

It was one of her only fashion faux pas and now holds a cherished memory for Territorians when Queen Elizabeth arrived at the 1977 footy grand final wearing the wrong colours.

St Marys Football Club members were disappointed when Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unintentionally arrived at the March 1977 grand final in their opposition colours – the Waratahs red and white.

Nonetheless, St Mary’s president at the time, Victor Ludwig said despite the minor upset, her presence at the match was the honour of a lifetime.

The Queen inspects the St Mary's football team at Gardens Oval with Ray Buckley escorting her, on the right. Picture: NT News staff photographer.

“Her lady-in-waiting, the person who dressed her, found out what was going on and it was just a mistake. I reckon she would have been looking for a new job,” Mr Ludwig said.

“It was just a moment of disappointment that she was wearing opposition colours but they all enjoyed her being there, there’s no question about that.”

A “bright-eyed and bushy tailed 20-year-old” Vic Ludwig arrived in Darwin on his motorbike in search of work in 1948. Now 93-years-old, he thinks back on his fleeting moment with the Queen and her glory fondly. Picture Che Chorley.

The green and gold president of “about 42 years” and his wife had the privilege of meeting the Queen and Prince Phillip and introducing the Royal pair to the other coaches.

“It felt a great honour to be able to do that,” Mr Ludwig said.

Locals lined the Gardens Oval to watch the grand final and just to be near Royal company.

“It was a big crowd, they all enjoyed seeing her there,” Mr Ludwig said.

He described her demeanour as “pleasant and gracious”.

“It is one of the highlights of my football career and my life actually, not many people get to meet the Queen and escort her around,” Mr Ludwig said.

“(Her loss) is a sad fact for the world. She was such a gracious person.”

Sometimes you win some and you lose some and almost 45 years on, Mr Ludwig still has not forgotten that his prideful team lost to Waratahs on that autumn day in front of Royal eyes.

Maybe St Mary’s lost because of the Queen’s unintentional support for the red and white?

But for now, the long lasting speculation can lay to rest with her Honour.