On the occassion of the opening of Crossley Court by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, in 1974, I was fortunate to be one of the students in the welcoming crowd of Mecklenburgh Square residents to be greeted by the Queen in person. Ma’am set eyes on me and walked a few paces towards me and shook my hand and enquired as to my name and what was I studying.  I answered, which meant my South African accent immediately gave me away as not being English.  Ma’am then where was I from to which I replied: Durban, South Africa.  Ma’am responded:  “How interesting, we in the United Kingdom, retain very strong ties with South Africa, don’t we?”  To which I replied: “Indeed, Ma’am.  Those kind of ties die hard.” Ma’am smiled at my reply.  I then remembered that Rob Bircher, a fellow South African and resident at London House, was standing next to me, so, maybe breaking all protocol, I said: “Ma’am, my friend Rob is also from South Africa,” and introduced Rob to the Queen, who graciously continued the conversation with him.  It was a thrilling and wonderful moment which I have treasured ever since.  I join the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, my fellow Commonwealth citizens and all members of the Anglican Church in mourning the loss of this exceptional person.  Graham Arthur Muller, Durban, South Africa