A 91-YEAR-OLD Broadway woman chatted to Prince Phillip about how handsome her friends thought he was at the Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Dorothy Twidale MBE, of Church Mews, previously met the Queen and Prince Phillip in Portugal in 1970.

It was her daughter Valerie Mitchell OBE, general director of the English Speaking Union in London, of which Prince Phillip is president, who arranged the brief chat last Tuesday.

"I was 61 when I met him in Portugal and he was 49. He was so handsome. I told him this at the garden party and he was absolutely fabulous. I spent five minutes or so talking to him,. It was like going to Ascot. Everyone was so beautifully dressed and everything was so orderly and well managed," she said.

Mrs Twidale used to play tennis for Staffordshire, where she was born, and for Brazil, where she lived for 32 years, and was asked to represent Brazil at Wimbledon but had to pull out when her father fell ill.

"I have come back to my own country after 53 years in Brazil and Portugal and I am so happy here in Broadway," she said.

Mrs Twidale said she remains active and is a member of the Women's Institute, Snowshill ladies club, two church groups, the garden club and two bridge clubs.

Dave and Joy Roberts from Broadway stood feet away from members of the Royal Family at the Queen's garden party a week earlier.

Mr Roberts, organiser of the annual village show and former gardening club chairman, said: "It was a very enjoyable and memorable day. It was a glorious sunny day and we felt quite privileged to have been invited.

"There was a long queue to get in and the couple waiting behind us were from Australia. I have family in Australia and it turned out they go to the village where my sister lives to do their Saturday shopping. Then the couple behind them were from Badsey. It's a small world!" he said.

l Sedgeberrow man George Hillier was also among the many Vale residents at the Queen's garden party. The former police officer set up West Mercia Police's Bobby Club for children and has also worked for other village and Vale causes.