AS vast swathes of the country mourn the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, one Falmouth local has shared her memories of a chance encounter with the new King Charles III.
Karen Bonney, who lives in Falmouth, has shared her memories of a royal visit to Falmouth back in 1970 when she was working as a telephonist for Falmouth Borough Council.
The then Prince Charles asking Karen ‘Do you work in there?’
Then Prince Charles talking to Karen (in orange)
The then Prince Charles had stopped off at the Falmouth Municipal buildings in order to sign the visitor’s book while Karen had been working there.
Karen, who was 20 years old at the time of the visit, told The Packet: “I was working for Falmouth Borough Council as it was then and lucky enough to be standing outside the Municipal buildings as he arrived and left.
“I was told by the Town Clerk at the time that I had to stay on the switchboard because it was so busy.
The now King Charles III arriving by car
King Charles stopped to speak to Karen and her colleagues
“I was so upset because at the time he was a young dashing prince and I wanted to see him.
“A colleague very kindly said ‘go on, I’m not bothered about seeing him, I’ll cover, just pop down and see him.’
“So I raced down the stairs and everybody was in position so they snuggled me in between them as his car was pulling him up.
“So we watched him go in, he passed right by us.
“He went up to the Mayor’s parlour to sign the visitors book and on his way out stopped.
“As I was having a good close look at him, my friend next to me was nudging me saying ‘Karen, he’s talking to you!’
The then Prince Charles speaking to Karen outside the Municipal buildings in Falmouth
King Charles speaking to Karen (right of pillar)
“He asked ‘are you a typist?’ while using his hand as if he was typing, and I said ‘no, I’m a telephonist.’
“Then he leaned forward and said ‘do you ever listen in to other people’s calls? and I looked sidewards at the Mayor and the Town Clerk who was now giving me looks like daggers and said ‘no’ and he just laughed and smiled and off he went.
Prince Charles leaves the Municipal buildings in Falmouth
The then Prince Charles on his way back from the Mayor’s parlour
“It was both a thrilling and worrying moment.
“Of course it didn’t go to plan and highlighted my presence there and I felt sure it would get me fired.
“Luckily it didn’t and I had got away with a very special chat!”
Do you recognise anyone in Karen’s photos? Let us know by emailing: ryan.morwood@newsquest.co.uk
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