Tasting Victory: Preface

We’d been briefed on what to do, but I didn’t want to commit a faux pas. I watched what the person in front of me was doing.

Finally, I advanced and took my place in front of Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne. I bowed as I had been told and then Princess Anne talked to me in excellent French. She congratulated me on my career and even referred to some specific events I had been involved with. I was surprised and full of admiration that she could remember so much, as I was not the only one to receive an award that day.

She put the OBE medal on my jacket. A minute later I was quietly guided through some corridors to sit silently at the back of the room, to watch the rest of the ceremony. My family was in one of the front rows and I would only join them when the ceremony was complete.

The organisation was a perfect example of true hospitality. Over in one corner, for example, the musical quartet played well-known songs, including a few French ones. I was touched that they had added some French songs to the list, which I imagine they did because I, one of the recipients, am a Frenchman.

It was ironic that I was there, being born French and not being interested in English royalty for a long time. When I first came to live in the UK, I could not understand why the royals were so popular – after all, in France, we had guillotined our king! Over the years my views changed and I had come to admire the work they do for different charities. In addition, I had become British in 1990, so by the time I received this honour I was fully committed to both Great Britain and the royal cause.

Thursday 20 October 2011 was a magic moment. Yet I could reflect with a certain melancholy on the long journey it had been, from grim beginnings in Saint-Etienne all the way to Windsor Castle.

Tasting Victory is available in hardback for £25 on Unbound.