An incredible experience that words dont do justice: My day with royalty
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UP CLOSE: "I was in awe of the fact they were only an arms length away."
Working in Nyngan and Narromine I never dreamed of meeting the royal couple, or be given the opportunity to write for the Australian Association Press about their visit to a drought-affected farm.
Honoured is an understatement and something my 18-year-old high school self never would have believed. It all didnt hit me until I spotted Channel 7s Edwina Bartholomew that I realised this was a really big deal.
We were all separated into groups and I found myself on bus full of British journalists, ready to move to our top-secret location.
It wasnt until we were halfway to our location that it was revealed we would be visiting Mountain View, a fifth-generation family farm known for stud breeding and sheep rearing run by the Woodley Family.
When the royal couple arrived time moved at the speed of light. I got to work taking notes, trying to keep a steady hand as I was in awe of the fact they were only an arms length away.
We watched them help the family feed cattle and discuss the harrowing effects of drought. They seemed genuine and could see that this wasnt the worst of it.
We were ushered up to the family home where members of the Wongarbon CWA were waiting along with their morning tea. When they began walking toward us, it felt like a film.
I was frozen with my mouth open at the fact I could see the facial hair on Prince Harry and the natural beauty of his wife Meghan. It wasnt until the camera shutters began snapping viciously that I woke up from the dream.
The Duchess handed over a plate of freshly baked banana bread, thanking the family. They sat and had some treats, talking with people. It was brief, but you could see the joy it bought to each and every one of them.
They said their goodbyes and as the Duke and Duchess entered into their royal carriage the storm didn't settle.
Masses hurried to question the CWA who were lucky to spend the brief moment with the royal couple. “What did they say? What were they like? Did the banana bread have fresh bananas in it?”
I couldnt get close to the CWA but I met with 23-year-old, fifth generation farmer, Laura Woodley who plans to take over the family farm. The media advisers told us to ask our last questions and ushered us back onto the bus.
It didnt take long, almost instantly the bus was silent, all you could hear was the clicking of keyboards as everyone tried to alert the world of what happened.
I had a brief 30 minutes to get my story out – very different to a weekly deadline. It was an adrenaline rush, service cut in and out which made it very difficult, but the story made it.
On the way back to the airport, the British entourage then began discussing their next steps of the royal tour, some were flying to Melbourne, some to Fiji.
When the bus pulled up I could see the royal jet flying overhead, in that moment there was silence, and I realised I was the last one standing on the kerb as the media storm sailed on.
Standing there I probably looked like the happiest kid in the candy store. It was an incredible experience and words dont do it justice.
This was certainly one of the best days of my life, and something I will never forget.
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Nyngan Observer
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