MEDICINE HAT — It’s been 72 years since Frances Miller was left standing on a train station platform where she clutched the bouquet of flowers she was supposed to present to a queen.
It was 1939 and King George and Queen Elizabeth, the mother of the current monarch, were scheduled to stop briefly in the tiny southern Alberta community of Walsh. They were on a cross-Canada train trip and dozens had gathered to meet them.
Miller was the town’s nine-year-old chosen ambassador. With her best dress on and her dark hair falling in curls, she clutched a dozen long-stemmed roses half as tall as she was.
But the girl was left heartbroken when the train carrying the royal couple didn’t stop as scheduled. Royal watchers could only stand and wave at the King.
Now 81, Miller is getting a second chance to meet royalty. The plan is for her to meet Prince William and his new wife Kate when they visit Calgary next month.
“It still doesn’t seem like reality,” said Miller, who now lives in Medicine Hat, Alta. “It seems like a dream or something. It’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s very exciting.”
Miller said she always followed the Royal Family, despite her childhood disappointment, and treasured a letter she later received from Queen Elizabeth — who would become known as the Queen Mother after her daughter took the throne.
“They were so sorry it hadn’t happened,” Miller said. “They sent a picture of the Royal Family with the King and Queen and the two princesses and, of course, the dogs. That has been very precious and, fortunately, I have been able to keep that through the years.”
But she never thought she would get another chance to meet royalty and still can’t believe her luck.
“It was too much of a shock at first. I just couldn’t think ... It was something I had never, ever thought about happening.”
Miller’s story came to light in the Medicine Hat News, which spearheaded a campaign to include her in the royal itinerary. Reporter Gillian Slade first heard the story from her hairdresser, who is related to Miller, and wrote about that disappointing day.
She and colleague, Angus Henderson, hatched a plan to try to make Miller’s dream come true. Although the people who will meet the royal couple were chosen months ago, Henderson slogged his way through various levels of Ottawa bureaucracy and even contacted Clarence House, the official London residence of several members of the Royal Family.
He said he was told several times that it wouldn’t happen. But then the Prime Minister’s Office got involved. Miller was told this week that she’s to present flowers to the couple just before they depart Calgary for the United States on July 8.
Just as she did 72 years ago, Miller is now focusing on what she will wear when the big day comes. Much to her relief, she doesn’t have to worry about picking out a hat.
“They said Kate will not be wearing a hat so I don’t have to wear a hat.
“That was wonderful news to me!”
— By Chinta Puxley in Winnipeg