A WOMAN from Glastonbury has shared her memories of meeting Prince Philip and The Queen in Somerset.

Amanda Preece, now Le Quesne, was head girl at The Saviour Convent School in Shepton Mallet when she met the prince during the summer of 1966.

The Duke of Edinburgh was on his way to the Bath and West Showground with the Queen when their car drove past the school.

“The headmistress, Sister Marie Agnes, arranged for pupils to assemble in front of the main Convent House in Paul Street, to await the passing of the Queen’s car,” said Amanda.

“A bouquet of flowers was brought from Hodges the florist in the hope of presenting them to the Queen.

“As head girl, I was chosen to hold the flowers with one of the younger pupils, Mandana Bebahain.”

Somerset County Gazette: VISIT: Amanda meets Prince Philip in Shepton Mallet

Amanda and her classmates were stood on the pavement holding flowers watching the pair drive past, when Prince Philip shouted to the driver “stop, stop the car”.

Amanda, who was 17 at the time, carried Mandana, around six-years-old who was stood in front of her, to the window of the car and gave the Queen some red roses.

The Queen thanked the girls and the car drove on.

“The Queen had the loveliest smile and she looked beautiful,” added Amanda.

“And Prince Philip was smiling happily by her side.

“It was quite something to have the Queen going past our school, otherwise it was a normal school day.”

Somerset County Gazette: VISIT: Amanda meets Prince Philip in Shepton Mallet

Now Amanda organises The Saviour Convent School reunions, even though the school closed in 1969.

Although the past two year’s events have been cancelled, she is hoping next year’s event – on the third Sunday in May – will be able to go-ahead.