Theresa Villiers has written the following article on her recent investiture at Windsor Castle
The day began with an early start to meet my brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Leonie, to pick up a train from Waterloo to Windsor. We arrived with plenty of time to spare and sat in a café by the station watching the snow falling outside. I even got the chance to practice a curtsey or two in preparation for the day ahead.
We made our way to the castle and went in through the Henry VIII entrance. It was exciting to walk through the stunning castle setting and into the state rooms. My brother Eddie joined us there as we waited to be told how everything would work.
I was happy to bump into my former colleague in Parliament, Richard Benyon, who is the Lord Chamberlain. He has the job of reading out the names of those receiving honours. We were elected as MPs on the same day in 2005.
Everyone was gathered together in the Grand Reception Room and we were given a briefing by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Segrave who is the Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. He patiently explained what would happen, where we should stand, where we should bow or curtsey etc.
I was feeling nervous and tried to listen very intently to everything he said. I was determined not to make any mistakes during the investiture.
We were then asked to queue up in the next room in the order in which we would received our medals. I was second behind the distinguished civil servant, Madeleine Alessandri, who chairs the Joint Intelligence Committee. We were both being awarded damehoods.
A moment or two after Dame Madeleine went into the Grand Reception Room to receive her award, my guest were ushered in to take their place where they could watch the ceremony. Then suddenly it was my turn and I headed over to the first station, standing next to one of HM The King’s ushers. When the Lord Chamberlain started to read my name out, I hesitated for a fraction of a second then went forward, curtseyed and walked up towards HRH The Prince of Wales.
He was charming and asked me about the work I had done on access to free childcare – I was involved for many years in a campaign to restore funding to maintained nursery schools. I also got the chance to say a little about the PhD studies I am hoping to undertake. My research proposal is to analyse the laws, regulations and policies we have on nature conservation and recovery to see if they are capable of delivering the targets that have been set. Knowing of Prince William’s personal commitment on these issues, I was keen to mention this project. He spoke about his Earthshot prize.
Then it was time for my award – Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) – to be pinned on. After a walk backwards, and a further curtsey, it was all over.
It was a truly memorable day. I am so grateful that this award has been bestowed on me. I particularly express my thanks to Rishi Sunak for including this DBE in his resignation honours list.
The honour has been made for “political and public service”. I felt hugely privileged to serve as MP for Chipping Barnet for 19 years, and in three roles in Government. My goal in politics was always to try to change things for the better – to make a difference – and I am thrilled that the work I did has been recognized in this way.
