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Jacky’s MBE

Jacqueline Yong, London

.Jacqueline Yong, an UUK member, had been awarded the MBE in the Queen's Honours list. The award was made in recognition of 30 years service in a number of government departments. She started work as a copy typist, but because staff now type their own letters on the computer, she works on administrative duties in Hammersmith & Fulham's Department of Works and Pensions. She sent in this article to share her special occasion with you UUK members...

For me, November 13th 2003 will always be a most memorable day. This was the day that I, along with my daughters Claudia and Danielle and my sister, Michelle, attended Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen.

I will start my report by recounting my experience from the beginning. On 6th May 2003, I arrived home from my six-day stay in Prague to find a very "official" looking letter from the office of the Prime Minister. On opening it up, I was astonished to find that the Prime Minister himself recommend me for the award in the forthcoming list of the "Birthday Honours" and asking "in strictest confidence" if this would be agreeable to me. The award was to be made for my efforts and work in the Civil Service for almost thirty years.

That was the longest five weeks of my life. I am a talker and it was agony not to be able to tell my friends. I finally received the letter of confirmation on June 14th, which meant I could now break my vow of silence! I did not really believe it until I saw my name print in the Daily Telegraph. After the announcement, letters began to arrive from Downing Street, St James Palace and Buckingham Palace, I received a huge document of appointment signed by the Queen and Prince Philip as well as details of a Chapel that can be used by Members of the Order of the British Empire in St Pauls Cathedral for weddings and christenings. One is allowed to bring three guests for the Investiture. There followed frantic weeks of shopping for a rose pink suit and of course the matching rose pink "Hat" from Debenhams in Oxford Street. My marvellous aunt, my late mother's sister, was my faithful adviser and never tired during the shopping spree in spite of her 81 years.

On arrival at the Palace by taxi, at 10.15 am, my daughters and I met Michelle at the Grand Entrance gate. Having shown the pass to the police, we walked towards the inner quadrangle and straight onto the red carpet. Once up the stairs, we separated, my daughters going one way to the Ballroom and Michelle and I, with other award recipients in the opposite direction to one of the State rooms - I think it is the Picture Gallery. My request for using Michelle as my interpreter was accepted without any hesitation. We were given clear precise details of what we should do, how to address the Queen, when to curtsey for example. During this "pep" talk we were offered either mineral water or orange juice. We were spellbound by the interior of the Palace - many rooms and corridors all hung with magnificent paintings, mirrors, and chandeliers.

At exactly 11.00 am the Queen entered the Ballroom accompanied by two Gurkha bodyguards and took her position on a low stage where all the guests can watch the Investiture. The Queen wore a classic grey dress with a pearl necklace and looked exactly as one imagined she would. The proceedings started after an orchestra from one of the Bands of the Household Division played the National Anthem.

Michelle and I, together with the other recipients, viewed all the ceremony on a close circuit T.V. The awards started with Knighthood's and worked down to M.B.E’s, which were last. Groups of about twelve at a time were taken to the Ballroom. All the staff were smiling and putting us at our ease despite the fact that I had butterflies in my stomach. Two female recipients approached and congratulated me after seeing me using sign language - one of them teaches deaf boys aged between 5 and 12 at a Bristol school.

When it was my turn, Michelle and I were escorted to the Ball Room by a Palace equerry. On entering the Ballroom and having my name announced, we took a few short steps, along a red carpet, to where the Queen pinned my medal on my chest. I could lip-read the Queen saying "Well done". I replied "Thank you". She asked me how long I have been working with the Civil Service. I answered "30 years" with Michelle's voiceover. The Queen said to me "You must be very proud of yourself". I was most touched by her kind words. After a short conversation, the Queen stretched out her hand. After shaking hands, we walked a few steps backwards away from the dais before curtsying for the last time. I joined the rest of the audience to watch the rest of the ceremony. It was soon over as we were among the last groups. The Queen departed with her "bodyguards". We met up with Claudia and Danille who enjoyed watching the proceedings. They were glad to see two well-known women namely Anitta Roddick, the Body Shop founder and Kirstan Scott Thomas, a film actress being awarded the K.B.E and O.B.E respectively.

After a long queue, my family and I were then led out of the Palace to the quadrangle to have some official photographs taken and also to take some of our own. Several close friends of mine (Susan Rennie, Veronica Savory, Anne Riseley and Harold Fallman) waited outside the Palace railings so more personal photographs were taken.

We finally left the palace around 1 p.m and went to the Savoy Hotel where one of my good friends booked a table overlooking the Thames in the River restaurant. He was able to join us for a celebration drink before returning to work. Philip, my brother in law and Michael, my brother were there and we had a rare family reunion. I dined on cauliflower soup with broccoli and Stilton tart, roast rump of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes and haricot vertes and finally a fresh strawberry tart with cream, coffee and chocolates. We managed two good bottles of quite strong red wine. My daughters told me that having a meal at the Savoy was one of the most wonderful experiences that they have had in their lives. Feeling thoroughly satisfied in every sense of the word, we left the hotel by taxi at 4 pm and arrived home about forty minutes later.

The day was an absolutely amazing experience, very majestic especially with my audience with the Queen. To have this award is very special but to have it at the recommendation of so many of my colleagues is a great honour indeed and I am so humbly grateful to them for thinking of me in this way. Without their dedication and co-operation I am sure I would not have received this honour. My one big regret was that my late husband Peng could not share this experience with me.

© Nick Sturley / UsherLiffe 2005-10. All Rights Reserved.