Queen Elizabeth II opted not to buy American-made toys being sold by a Kiwi working at Harrods during the traveller's OE in 1970. Photo / NZH Archive
Herald staff and readers reveal their up close and personal encounters with celebrities. Today Louise Yri tells of the time she tried to serve the Queen at Harrods.
In 1970 I was on my OE trying to make ends meet in London as a store demonstrator.
After trying various products in different locations I was offered a position in Harrods demonstrating Mattel toys in the lead up to Christmas.
It was an amazing experience to be part of
the Harrods staff as in those days many celebrities did their shopping there, including the Royal family. There was even a zoo where exotic animals were kept, one of these being the famous lion which was eventually released in Kenya.
The food hall was an experience, offering food this Kiwi from the backblocks of Hawkes Bay had never heard of.
