A momentous mail delivery led to a Adver journalist attending a special reception at Buckingham Palace and meeting Her Majesty the Queen.

An envelope with the royal household’s stamp appeared on my desk last month and included a fancy placard with my name on it, a green piece of paper that would allow me entry through one of the palace’s front gates, and arrival instructions.

This came about because the King and Queen had asked newsrooms to each nominate a reporter who could attend an event highlighting the importance of regional media.

My editor Daniel Chipperfield put my name forward due to my eight-year stint at this newspaper and the various ways my reporting has, I hope, helped the local community.

So, on Wednesday, March 26 I left work at lunchtime, changed into my nicest suit, double-and-triple-checked that I had that all-important green paper with me, and got the train down to London.

On the way, I was full of nerves and excitement, replying to texts from my parents who seemed to be even more eager about this exclusive invitation.

I reached the Palace an hour early, but the day of the reception coincided with the hottest day of the year, so I spent that time happily wandering around The Mall and St James’ Park in the sunshine.

When other people in similarly smart suits and dresses began walking towards that iconic royal residence, I followed them and joined a queue forming outside the gates, with curious tourists looking on as we passed the security checks and entered the palace grounds.

The instructions said no........

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