It's a tale of friendship like no other that involves a rural Kiwi farming family and, yes, Her Majesty the Queen. Credits: Newshub
Not many people could call the palace, request to speak to the Queen and be patched through to Her Majesty herself.
But one Waikato farming family in New Zealand had that special privilege due to a shared love of Jersey cows – with the Queen even co-owning some of the animals on their property in Otorohanga.
It’s a tale of friendship like no other that involves a rural Kiwi farming family and, yes, Her Majesty the Queen.
It’s a special bond that dates back to 1975 when Warren Ferguson’s mum June and his late dad Don went to the Royal Show in the UK. It was there where they met the Queen’s herdsman.
"Alan the herdsman came out to New Zealand and they selected a couple of bulls," Warren said.
Those bulls went overseas to Windsor, igniting the relationship with the Queen.
"It’s just like any friendship or relationship I suppose with another breeder really," Warren explained.
Just another breeder who visited the Fergusons’ farm in 1990.
"It was a great day to give her afternoon tea," June said.
And like any friendship many phone calls were shared.
"Dad would just ring her up if we went to a show cause her and dad owned some of the animals together. He would just phone her and tell her how they got on and then they would just talk about family and day-to-day things like anyone else," Warren said.
It was a phone number that was given to Warren when his dad died to carry on business.
"I’ve had to ring a couple of times, just ring up, get the switchboard at the palace. You say who you are and I say ‘Warren Ferguson’ and the lady at the other end would say ‘oh you’re Don’s son’ and next minute I’m talking to the Queen. Pretty simple."
There were numerous meetings including at Windsor and at Government House in Auckland where June and Don were invited to a garden party.
"She put her hand on Don’s arm and said thank you for the phone calls. It’s great to have a true friend," June said.
A feeling reciprocated by the Ferguson family who felt her loss greatly on Friday.
"I couldn’t gather my thoughts at all. She was a wonderful person but a very human being as well," June said.
"I think she was everyone’s Queen. I think everyone’s feeling it in many ways," Warren added.
She may have been the Queen but to the Fergusons she was classed simply as ‘an overseas friend’.