Queen pops in for lunch at Gunwharf Quays
VISITORS at Gunwharf Quays were stunned when they got a glimpse of the Queen as she popped into Portsmouth for lunch.
Surprised shoppers and tourists gathered along the railing outside Gunwharf Quays Marina to see Her Majesty as she made an unannounced visit yesterday.
The monarch, 85, had been enjoying a two-hour lunch on luxurious yacht the Leander, which is owned by NCP car park millionaire Sir Donald Gosling.
As people found out about the Queen’s secret visit, they flocked to see her leave the yacht.
The Queen arrived in Southsea via helicopter yesterday at 11.45am.
She landed in playing fields owned by the Ministry of Defence near to Clarence Pier.
From there she was driven to Gunwharf Quays in a green Range Rover to have a private lunch with Sir Donald on the 245ft yacht.
A small crowd had gathered around the marina as they anxiously waited to see the Queen.
And when she stepped out onto the pontoon, wearing a powder pink coat, a headscarf with a rose pattern print, black shoes and a black handbag, onlookers cheered and applauded.
The Queen, who was carrying a bunch of flowers in her hand, waved to the audience.
Marilyn Reilly, 63, of Almondsbury Road, Paulsgrove, said: ‘My mother has come to visit me from Exeter and we just came along to see Spinnaker Tower and were having lunch in the cafe.
‘Then we found out the Queen was here.
‘I’m a fan of the Queen and the royal family because they bring a lot to the country and they also give us something.
‘It was a great surprise to see her.’
Christina and Gordon Rogers, of Elizabeth Road, Waterlooville, had decided to spend the day in Gunwharf Quays.
Christina, 65, said: ‘We just thought we would pop down to Gunwharf Quays for the day.
‘We saw some cars pull up and thought “what’s going on?”
‘Then we saw police boats and heard the Queen was on board a yacht, so we waited to see her.’
Gordon, 69, said: ‘I last saw the Queen when Invincible came to the dockyards after the Falklands, I was working in the dockyard.
‘I think that day she was wearing blue. She still looks the same as she did all those years ago and is very sprightly.’
Among the spectators were a group of students from the Czech Republic.
Michael Horky, 17, said: ‘We were here for sightseeing and then we saw the Queen.
‘It was so exciting because we didn’t know she would be here – it was a fantastic experience.
‘When I first saw her coming out of the yacht I didn’t know it was her because she usually wears a hat, and this time she was wearing a scarf on her head.
‘Then the people started clapping their hands - it was great.
‘This has been a fantastic school trip.
‘I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.’
The Leander motor yacht has been moored in Gunwharf Quays Marina since April 30. It has been used by members of the royal family, including Prince Charles.
The Queen last visited Gunwharf Quays in 2002 as part of her jubilee tour.
Centre director Peter Emery said: ‘We are honoured to be able to facilitate this private visit for Her Majesty, and it is testament to the excellent reputation of Gunwharf Quays that we are able to.’
MORE STORIES AND PICTURES OF THE QUEEN’S SURPRISE VISIT IN THE NEWS TODAY
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 17 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
liverpoolboy
Monday, May 30, 2011 at 09:17 AM@ 14 oh thats funny,ha ha :o(
liverpoolboy
Monday, May 30, 2011 at 09:15 AM@15 My Hero ,well done you :o)
CTR
Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 05:54 PM@13 - As a 40% tax payer I am happy to pick up the bill for The Queens lunch. Bearing in mind she also pays tax, an awful lot of tax, then she's really paying herself isn't she? At least she's not on Benefit like half of the work-shy, welfare dependant population of this City!! That costs the PUBLIC millions!!!!
maple1010
Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 04:47 PMComment removed by moderator
liverpoolboy
Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 03:06 PMHow much did that meal cost the PUBLIC.
CTR
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 05:01 PM@10 - guinness83 - They cannot accept comments on it because it is sub-judice.
guinness83
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 04:40 AMA Surorise Visit? What's a surorise? Come on, wake up!!
guinness83
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 04:29 AMSo you can comment on this but you can't comment on the story about The Queen's car being clamped!! Funny that!!! As a news website, you must be allowed to comment on everything!!!
The voice of reason (occasionally)
Friday, May 27, 2011 at 04:51 PMEver wondered where some of your overpriced NCP car park fees went to? Go and have a look at whats moored at the end of Gunwharf Quays! Am I annoyed,jealous generally hacked off.....you bet I am!
mark_in_pompey
Friday, May 27, 2011 at 01:31 PMhope they had cleared the dog sh@t from the field before she got there that helicopter would have blown it everywhere
wizard of oz
Friday, May 27, 2011 at 08:14 AMI like Queen, radio gaga is my personal favourite.
veedfff@163.com
Friday, May 27, 2011 at 01:58 AMComment removed by moderator
CTR
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 09:11 PMSo do I King Chestnut, a great lady.
liverpoolboy
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 06:08 PMI dont :o)
King Chestnut
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 04:35 PMI like the Queen.
Page 1 of 2
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.