FIFTY years ago today Susan Stannard and the Queen both had memorable days and today they finally got to meet.On June 2 1953, the Queen was officially crowned at Westminster Abbey while Susan, of Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket was only a few hours old.
FIFTY years ago today Susan Stannard and the Queen both had memorable days and today they finally got to meet.
On June 2 1953, the Queen was officially crowned at Westminster Abbey while Susan, of Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket was only a few hours old.
Susan's mother Marigold Larkins gave birth at 1am on Coronation Day in Lowestoft, but her father Derek wasn't at the birth. He spent the day in London on military duty manning the route for the Queen's car.
But when Mr and Mrs Larkins, who still live in Lowestoft, wrote to the Queen asking her to sign a birthday card for their daughter, they received a very special reply.
Mrs Larkins, 72 said: "My husband was a lance bombardier in the Territorial Army and was chosen to line the route on the day of the Coronation. Susan wasn't due on the day – she was supposed to have come three weeks before.
"But she held on until an hour-and-a-half after Derek left and then I went into labour."
To celebrate their daughter's 50th birthday, Mr and Mrs Larkins decided to do something special for her.
Mrs Larkins explained: "We have a kind of royal connection as my husband's cousin is Olga Powell, who was Prince William and Prince Harry's nanny.
"So we wrote to the Queen asking her to sign a card for Susan's birthday and told her that she was born on Coronation Day, But nothing came of it.
"Then we received a letter saying that she had been invited to the special celebration service on June 2 and we couldn't believe it."
Susan, whose middle names include Elizabeth, was looking forward to the big day when her and the Queen celebrate reaching a special landmark.
She said: "I'm nervous but really excited. I can't really comprehend it as there are only a certain amount of people invited
"We are going to get to the abbey early so we can take the whole day in and soak up the atmosphere.
"The nature of the day is very touching as Dad was there 50 years ago and I'm going to be there 50 years later."
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