When the invitation dropped on my mat a few weeks ago, I was both surprised and delighted.

I had been offered the chance to be present when the two best-known members of the Third Age visited Brighton.

The Queen and Prince Philip were coming to help the city celebrate its new status and, as part of a packed programme, were to be present at a reception in the newly-refurbished Corn Exchange and I was going to be there.

As a totally unreconstructed royalist I was delighted to think I would have the chance to see them really close, rather than fighting a losing battle at the back of a crowded street as they whistled through on their way to somewhere else.

I had seen the Duke of Edinburgh several times at the driving trials in Stanmer Park but it was many years since I had seen the Queen any closer than a news reel picture.

I must admit I find it puzzling when I hear of opinion polls which state uncompromisingly that the Queen and the Royal Family are losing their popularity, that people find them aloof and disconnected from real life and yet, given the chance to meet any one of these apparently unpopular folk, it is easy to get killed in the rush!

The Argus has covered the visit in considerable detail, but I look at it from a different perspective perhaps.

I looked at two people, not young any more, undertaking a day's activity that would floor some folk half their age.

The Duke, after all, is pushing 80 but is still ready with a good quip, often designed to cut pomposity down to size, although admittedly there are a few "foot in the mouth" episodes.

He is slim and as upright as a guardsman, although not as tall as you might think from his pictures.

The Queen is small and neat, with the most delightful smile you could ever hope to see.

Her whole face lights up, including her eyes. I wish there were more photographs of her smiling - it is a revelation.

Heaven knows there must be many occasions when she must feel that she has heard every cliche in the book, but I must say she did seem to be enjoying herself on Thursday.

Her ancestor, Queen Victoria, didn't like Brighton because she said the people used to stare at her.

But the modern monarch seems quite used to being in the lens of every camera within shooting distance.

I wasn't sure what the protocol on private cameras was so I didn't take mine. I didn't fancy ending up in the Tower!

But it was one of the few occasions when I could wear my official 'necklace' with pride - the badge I was given when I was elected an Honorary Alderman of Brighton in 1997 and which carries over to the City of Brighton and Hove.

There was as little formality as possible on such an occasion, with the Mayor Andy Durr accompanying the Queen and the Mayoress with the Duke.

There was a tremendous cross section of people there including, I'm happy to say, a fair number of Third Agers and also a number of young people showing off their circus skills as stilt walkers, musicians, jugglers and the like.

It was a great occasion to celebrate City status and yes, if you are asking, I was one of the lucky ones to be presented to the Queen and as one Third Ager to another I thought she flew the flag for us wonderfully!