Ex-BBC presenter Sian Williams was braced to appear before the “smallest but most intimidating audience” when she spoke to Sandringham Women’s Institute.
Ms Williams was this year’s special guest to speak to the branch president, the Queen, and the members, in West Newton Village Hall.
HM The Queen attending Sandringham and West Newton WI on Thurs 21st Jan 2016 ANL-160121-152011009
The former BBC Breakfast presenter is following in the footsteps of colleagues Bill Turnbull and Strictly star Carol Kirkwood.
Ms Williams is celebrating 30 years in journalism and shared her experiences during the prestigious meeting yesterday afternoon.
Speaking before going into the hall Ms Williams said: “I feel very honoured to be invited to such a special occasion.
“The Queen is going to be a few yards in front of me. This is probably the smallest but most intimidating audience I will have ever spoken to but I am very honoured to be here. It is a such a special thing to be invited to.”
BBC presenter Sian Williams arrives in West Newton
Ms Williams, who is going to front the 5pm news programme for Channel 5, received the phone call in December from branch chairman Yvonne Browne, who asked her to keep it a secret.
Ms Williams has covered numerous royal occasions during her career including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
She said: “We were told so many different ways to greet the Queen. I was told how to nod, someone else said to curtsey and someone else told me to bow, so I did all three. She must have thought I was mad.”
Ms Williams has spent three decades working for the BBC. She has been a regular face on the main news bulletins and hosted Sunday Morning Live.