"Surreal" is the main word that came into my mind as I stepped through the gates of Buckingham Palace for this week's evening reception held by the King and Queen for a reception for regional media. As I had a view of the palace's façade without the railings getting in the way, I could not resist a few photos as a souvenir. What on earth was I doing here, I kept asking myself?
Then, I made my way carefully across the gravelled courtyard, into another courtyard and then up the stairs and into the building. The well-oiled process of welcoming guests to such events was there to see, as palace staff were on hand all the way with very pleasant welcomes and helpful advice.
I was there to take part in the regional media reception at the request of the Their Majesties - that's what it said on my cream-coloured invitation which had arrived complete with the royal insignia and a Buckingham Palace postmark on the envelope a couple of weeks ago, much to my surprise.
Leaving coats and bags (and phones) in the cloakroom, it was onwards and upwards to the stylish ballroom, complete with thrones - which weren't used on this occasion - extensive pink seating, beautiful red carpets and huge magnificent chandeliers throughout the room.
We were served delightful canapes - both savoury and sweet - from circulating waiters and there seemed an endless supply of champagne, wine and soft drinks.
The royal couple entered the room and began mingling almost without the majority of the 400-strong throng noticing to begin with. But when they were spotted, there was a perceptible shift as people gravitated towards them hoping to be selected to speak to them. I confess I was among them.
You see as a reporter on a royal visit you don't get to do the things that the people who are actually meeting the King and Queen would do. You do not get the chance to speak with them or have photos taken with them. But that was exactly the opportunity all the regional reporters were being given on Wednesday night - and didn't they all just act like the man-in-the-street when confronted with a Royal personage.
It was surprising to see normally staid reporters jockeying for position so they could say afterwards "I shook the King/Queen's hand". More than used to being herded with the rest of the press corps on royal visits, the gathered reporters instead allowed themselves to be guided and pushed into position by equerries who selected the people they thought the Royal couple should meet.
What looked like an impossible task to get near either the King or Queen, an opportunity unexpectedly opened up when it was decided that the crush around the King was too great and they made nearby people form two lines along which he could pass. I unashamedly joined one of the lines and was ready to proffer my hand if the need arose.
First, he worked one side talking to people and them moved to my side and spoke to a woman standing next to me. I thought that's it then, he will turn to go over to the other side when he finishes with her. But to my surprise, he did shake my hand and established I was from Derby.
I mentioned that I had covered visits by him to the city and county on at least four occasions - to Royal Crown Derby, Cromford Station and the Serbian Orthodox Church on Burton Road. I reminded him that on the latter occasion in 1981 he also took part in Ukrainian dancing at the Ukrainian Club in Charnwood Street. To my surprise, he smiled and laughed at the thought and then immediately asked me about the current situation with Rolls-Royce and if it was "still in Derby". He added: "Rolls-Royce it's very important, very important" and by that I assumed he meant to the city and country.
I was delighted - not only had I "shaken the King's hand" - something I would never get to do as a reporter - but I had unexpectedly got a line that I could use as the basis of a story, every journalist's dream.
The precision of these occasions was more than demonstrated when the 90 minutes was up and a line of waiters with empty trays formed up and gradually edged people towards the door like retreating troops but also done in the most polite way.
And no account of attending Buckingham Palace events would be complete without mentioning that the toilets were pristine - individual cubicles complete with basins for handwashing. And in the outer area, a place for applying make-up, combing hair or brushing clothes - the comb and brushes were supplied.
I didn't know what to expect from the experience and was prepared to be a bit underwhelmed but the sheer organisation, palace machinery that swings into action and the overwhelming pleasantness and kindness of each and every member of staff meant I couldn't help but be impressed - oh and did I mention I shook the King's hand - finally 40 years after I first covered a visit of his to Derby.
