Remembering the Queen's last official visit to Dorset
Queen Elizabeth visited Poundbury in 2016 for the officially unveiling of a statue of the Queen Mother
Last updated 12th Sep 2022
In 2016 Her Majesty Elizabeth II visited Poundbury for what we now know to be her last ever public visit to Dorset.
Thousands lined the streets of Poundbury to welcome Her Majesty on 27th October. She was joined by The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Queen visited the town to unveil a statue of the Queen Mother, but she also paid a visit to the town's Waitrose store where she met local farmers, as well as the Duchess of Cornwall Inn.
Among the people to shake the Queen's hand that day was Miriam Phillips, a local magazine editor.
"I think most of us, it's fair to say were worried about our curtsey - I remember practicing it and I'm not sure I got it the perfect way.
"She was very personable and so friendly. She asked me about the business I was running at the time which was a magazine in Poundbury and she remarked she had read it.
"I was really overwhelmed and then she asked about my children. I was actually there representing a playgroup at the time in Poundbury and she asked what nursery rhymes we sang and we had a funny moment singing a couple of verses.
"You couldn't help but feel that great emotion for her because she was just such an incredible woman."
Miriam reflected on how the Queen's death feels having met her.
"I think anyone who got to be near that even just for a second feels very privileged. It's sad for everyone. It's sad for anyone's life that she touched.
"I think at the same time it's been great to reflect on what a wonderful woman she was and what an inspiration she was over all those years."
Among the crowd was Fran Leaper who was invited into the inner square where she could get a good view of the Queen.
She said:
"As she walked around I was within about four meters of the Queen and I could not believe how wonderful she looked. Her complexion was fabulous. Yes, there were a few lines under her eyes, but nobody noticed from that distance. She looked wonderful and she was smiling and she was gracious and she was gorgeous.
"I suspect this was the last visit of all the four senior royals together with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall all together at any one time out of London. So this was fabulous and I felt it was such a privilege that they were all four there in Poundbury."