Couple enjoy a right Royal knees up

Jun 13 2012 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

A THRILLED couple who travelled to London by Royal invitation to help the Queen celebrate her Diamond Jubilee claim the spectacular bash has helped to put the ‘Great’ back into Britain.

Margaret and Joe McGinlay, from Howwood, joined thousands of other well-wishers who attended a special picnic and pop concert at Buckingham Palace to mark Her Majesty’s 60-year reign.

The couple sat just feet from the monarch as stars such as Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Tom Jones, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney thrilled the crowd with a hit-laden four-hour show.

Margaret, 49, was delighted to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime event – and reckons the Diamond Jubilee celebrations have been a national success.

She told the Paisley Daily Express: “I’m a big fan of the Royal family and especially the Queen. I think they do a great job.

“It was such an honour to get the invitation to the party and to be there on Her Majesty’s special day.

“When I saw the crowds that were there for the concert, I couldn’t believe it. Apparently, there were almost half a million people at the concert and watching on screens down The Mall. That just shows how popular the Queen is.

“The jubilee has been great for the country. You could see from all the different events just how important it was to people.

“The crowds were huge and it was wonderful to see so many people being brought together in that way. It was a spectacular milestone for Britain.”

Also performing at the regal gig were the likes of Kylie Minogue, Will.I.Am and Grace Jones.

The Queen, wearing a gold dress jacket beneath a black cloak, arrived at the VIP enclosure at 9pm to rousing applause.

She waved to the cheering crowd as she was accompanied to her seat by her eldest son, the Prince of Wales.

Margaret, a registered childminder and mother of three, added: “The concert was fantastic and the line-up was spectacular.

“Kylie Minogue was brilliant and Tom Jones was great too. He really got the crowd going.

“Madness played on the roof of Buckingham Palace and they were great as well.

“We were just a few feet away from the Royal Box and could see Queen and the rest of the family. She seemed to be having a wonderful time and was clapping along with all the songs.

“The atmosphere at the show was electric and everyone we met there was so friendly. The weather even held out, which was great. It was fantastic.”