A WARWICKSHIRE hotel’s celebrations for Her Majesty’s 90th birthday were so regal the event wasn’t fit for one queen, but two.
Around 350 guests attended Coombe Abbey’s Royal Afternoon Tea Party – which brought a taste of London to the venue by hosting a street-themed celebration.
Inspired by the capital’s 10,000 guest strong party at The Mall, the Brinklow-based hotel crowned two ladies, who were both born on the same day as Her Royal Highness, Queens of Coombe for one day only.
Phyliss Daniels, from Bilton in Rugby, and Eileen Davison, from Coventry, were the first to come forward after the 12th century hotel put a call out across the area to invite a lady who is the same age and shares the same birthday with Her Majesty.
Both 90-year-olds received the royal treatment as they were given the best seats in the house and enjoyed afternoon tea and entertainment from wartime-themed vocalists, The Land Girl Sweethearts.
An impersonator of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill also attended to bestow both Queens their crowns and thrones.
Ron Terry, general manager at Coombe Abbey, said Eileen and Phyllis both gave the hotel’s celebrations their queenly seal of approval.
He said: “The Queen’s 90th birthday is a huge milestone and certainly a national event worth celebrating.
“However no monarch party would be truly regal without royalty in attendance, which was why we decided to mark the majestic event by crowning our own Queens of Coombe.
“Both Phyllis and Eileen were thrilled to be such a major part of the festivities as they celebrated their birthday and helped to add the finishing regal touch – we were delighted they gave us their royal approval.”
Union jack flags were waved as long trestle tables and bunting filled the marquee – replicating the London celebrations and recreating the spectacular atmosphere.
Eileen said it was overwhelming to have been made such a fuss of by the hotel.
She added: “I was so surprised when Coombe Abbey invited me to be their Queen.
“I can’t thank them enough for how special they have made turning 90 feel, it has been so touching – obviously I must have known what I was doing when I was born on the same day as Her Royal Highness.”
Phyllis spent her birthday on April 12 enjoying afternoon tea at the hotel – which was how she was spotted and asked to attend the venue’s official royal celebrations.
She said: “I really enjoyed the afternoon tea so it was great to be able to come back as a special guest and mark reaching 90 years old.
“My mother lived past the age of 90 herself and she always told me to keep smiling and be positive, which is probably the reason for our long lives.”
