The Queen is sending a special envoy to a primary school after the children complained they missed her on an official visit – but remained her ‘humble and obedient servants’.
A group of young pupils had travelled to a country estate and waited patiently to be introduced to HRH during a Royal trip to Dartington in Devon.
But the youngsters were gutted when the Queen appeared from her car and disappeared into a nearby building after just ten seconds.
The children then went back to their school, in Totnes, Devon, and asked their teacher if they could write to the sovereign to complain.
Each member of the class penned a letter to express their frustration, with one saying ”we thought you could have smiled and waved a little longer”.
But each of the students ended their letters respectfully, telling the Queen they remain her ”humble and obedient servants”.
They were then sent a letter back from Buckingham Palace saying the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Eric Dancer, would visit the school dressed in full uniform – by Royal Command.
Headmaster Roger Clarke said the children, who were taught how to write their letters as part of an English lesson, were ”delighted”.
He said: ”It is a wonderful gesture and the whole school is very excited. We understand it will be very much a formal visit with a police escort and lots of flashing blue lights.
”They were not letters of complaint but of disappointment. Everyone understands that on a very busy day Her Majesty cannot meet everyone.”
Nineteen pupils from Broadhempston Village Primary School wrote to the Queen after her visit to Devon on March 11.
Nine-year-old Kate McDowall wrote: ”I was incredibly disappointed that I waited an hour and a half for you and you just walked out of your car and went under the arch.
”We thought you could have smiled and waved a little longer.”
Eric Perkin, aged 11, wrote: ”What happened took ten seconds. The Queen climbed out of her car and walked straight towards an arch.
Suddenly we couldn’t see her. It was all over.”
The Church of England primary school received a reply from Buckingham Palace which stated that the Queen’s programme that day had been “extremely full.”
The Queen’s Deputy Private Secretary, Edward Young, wrote:
”Unfortunately there was not enough time for Her Majesty to meet everyone who was present at each of the locations she visited.
“I can understand your disappointment but can assure you that the Queen is fully aware of the efforts made by pupils from local schools to come to these sort of events and was very grateful for the support shown to her.
”This message comes to you with her Majesty’s warm good wishes.”
The Lord Lieutenant is due to appear at the school to discuss the role of the Queen at 1.40pm on Friday.
