Alan Titchmarsh reveals Queen's past remark to him: 'I am still smiling'

ok.co.uk:

Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has revealed one of his fondest memories of a previous conversation with her majesty The Queen, as he joins forces with several other celebrities to mark the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee.

The horticultural icon will be taking the lead as he presents ITV’s once in a lifetime coverage of the exciting celebration that commemorates the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. “I am presenting the entire pageant from Wednesday to Saturday and on the Sunday the fourth part which involves Her Majesty's horses and carriages,” explained Alan. “The Royal Mews has always been a place close to my heart - I used to ride quite a lot and have even ridden with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in their famous gun-carriage exercise.

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Yet aside from his role, which will see the presenter rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty such as Tom Cruise, it was a previous encounter with the Queen that brought a smile to the gardener’s face. “I've been lucky enough to meet Her Majesty many times both formally and informally and have sat next to her at lunch on a couple of occasions where I enjoyed wide-ranging conversations. “I treasure the MBE that Her Majesty pinned on me in the Millennium New Year Honours and also the remark she made as she shook my hand. “I had talked to the Sandringham Women's Institute a few weeks before my investiture and The Queen, as a member, was in the audience.