'A massive loss' - Oldham mum recalls meeting 'gentle, kind and warm' Queen 30 years ago

An Oldham mum who was lucky enough to meet the late Queen Elizabeth II in Alexandra Park in 1992 has spoken of her sympathy for the new monarch, King Charles III.

Shabana Sadiq is now 41 years old and works as a Clinical Lead Podiatrist in Oldham for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.

As our picture shows, Shabana met the Queen during the then monarch's eagerly-anticipated visit to Oldham in July, 1992.

She told the Chronicle: "I remember meeting the Queen like it was yesterday.

"She shook my hand and said 'thank you, these flowers are lovely'.

"She came across as very gentle, kind and warm.

"I was so nervous.

"I remember practicing my curtsy for weeks, but on the day I did half a bow and half a curtsy. 

"My youngest sister Athia, who is a MacMillan Nurse now, was only four months old at the time and to this day she says 'why couldn’t mum and dad have just carried me in as well so I could have seen the Queen?'. 

"I’m so glad I've been able to share this special memory with my two children, Faizan Ajmal, who is now 11, and Safaa Ajmal, who's nine.

"It's so sad, the Queen was a loving, caring person and such a female role model.

"She was so inclusive too - it's so sad and she will be a massive loss to everyone."

Shabana's family have been especially keen to pass their deepest condolences to the Royal Family this week as they have lost her 'beloved dad' Mohammed Sadiq recently, as he sadly passed away aged 69 years old on April 18 this year.

Shabana added: "He was a loving husband, father and grandad who instilled good values and morals in his 10 children.

"He came over to Oldham from Kashmir to work in the cotton mills, and he worked so hard to support his six daughters and four sons through education.

"He always proudly attended all their graduation ceremonies at university, and we all miss him so much. 

"He was so proud when I was specially chosen by my headteacher, Irene Barratt at Alexandra Park Junior School, to present Her Majesty with a posy of flowers. 

"My mum and dad were both invited to the garden party and both watched on very emotionally as their eldest daughter presented the Queen with the posy. 

"My dad was beaming, his smile never faded.

"We remember him like this, he was always smiling just like the Queen.

"All of our thoughts are with the Royal Family.

"Her Majesty will be missed, not only by her family, but the whole world.

"She was a true inspiration to many people across the world and she touched so many lives with her kindness."

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