LAST Thursday Luton octogenarian Ted Willett was one of a select band of pensioners presented with Maundy money by the Queen at a centuries old ceremony.
But even though the retired Vauxhall engineer now has two little leather purses – one containing the unique silver one, two, three and four penny pieces and the other a £5 coin commemorating the Diamond Jubilee and a newly minted 50p piece – the whole experience still seems like a dream.
“It will take time for it to sink in,” he said, eyes twinkling.
The senior citizens - 86 women and 86 men, one for each of the monarch’s 86 years – were chosen in recognition of their services to the church and their communities.
Ted, accompanied by his daughter Jane, was totally taken aback by the crowds of people lining the street outside York Minster.
He said: “They must have 10 or 12 deep each side, barricaded in, with police all over.”
He was also most impressed by the service itself: “I’ve never been at anything like it, at that level.
“It was quite magnificent.”
And although the Queen didn’t stop and talk to recipients, Ted said: “She was very bright looking and vivacious, in a turquoise hat and coat flecked with turquoise.
“We were all standing” – Ted resplendent in grey three piece suit and London University tie – “and there was a Yeoman of the Guard at her side, carrying a solid gold plate holding the purses.
He added: “I’ve not got over it all yet, even though I’ve been asked about it quite a bit.”