Queen 'made you feel like you were the only person in the world she wanted to speak to', says Vice-Lieutenant Willie Watt
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Caithness Vice-Lieutenant Willie Watt has said he will remember Queen Elizabeth II as an amazing person who "made Britain special" – and who had a special gift for putting people at ease.
"She made you feel like you were the only person in the world she wanted to speak to," Mr Watt said.
He reflected on his two encounters with Her Majesty – first in Wick during her Golden Jubilee tour in 2002, then in 2018 when he received his MBE at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
“Like many others in Caithness I am deeply saddened by the Queen's passing," Mr Watt said.
"Her Majesty was amazing – she was a one-off and, as so many of the tributes to her have said, she made Britain special, somewhere to be really proud of.
"My thoughts are with her family and our new King. The day after he loses his mother he has to pick up the responsibility of the monarchy, and it must be quite a challenge to handle.
“Having had the privilege to meet her twice, I always remember her warm, attentive smile. She listened intently to what you were saying."
At the MBE ceremony in Edinburgh four years ago, a brief conversation took place about the Caithness weather – which Her Majesty had experienced many times while visiting the Queen Mother at the Castle of Mey.
Mr Watt recalled: "When I mentioned the fine weather we were enjoying at the time in Caithness she said to me with a wry smile, 'That's not what I remember when visiting Mama – there was always the dreaded fog!'
“I said, 'You're right, Ma'am, usually the fog follows a nice day.'"
At the time, Mr Watt was general manager of the Subsea 7 pipeline bundle fabrication site at Wester and chairman of Wick Harbour Authority.
"She was interested in what we were doing at Wick harbour and had very encouraging words," he said.
"That's what I remember – she made you feel like you were the only person in the world she wanted to speak to at that time. It was a fantastic skill.”
Charles has been a regular visitor to the Castle of Mey and had a 10-day stay in Caithness from the end of July this year during which he carried out engagements in Wick. These were among his last before becoming King.
Related stories:
- Queen 'must have been impressed by her first sight of Caithness'
- Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness says Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered with 'affection and gratitude'
Gardens of remembrance have been opened in Thurso and Wick following the death of the Queen and books of condolence are available in both towns.
