Drama of the King’s death has had a particularly vivid impact for one Berkhamsted man. Flight Radio Officer Mr J. Miller, of King’s Road, had in fact spoken to His Majesty on the tarmac of London Airport on Thursday morning of last week.

A short while later, the Radio Officer was on the Royal B.O.A.C. Argonaut airliner “Atalanta” conveying the then Princess and her husband on the first stage of what was to have been a triumphant Commonwealth tour.

On Saturday, Mr Miller arrived back at London Airport, and after snatching a quick respite with his wife and children at home, set off again on Monday in the Royal plane, this time carrying members of the party who were to have accompanied the Royal couple.

Then, on Wednesday, came the news that was to shock the whole world. The Royal plane, at Mombasa, was diverted to Nanyuki and yesterday (Thursday) afternoon brought back to London as Queen, the young mother who exactly a week previously had left the capital on the same aircraft, a princess radiantly happy at the thoughts of the Commonwealth tour ahead of her.

The occasion, yesterday, was sombre indeed and for radio officer, Mr Miller, who had made both the outward and homeward journeys with the Royal couple, the week’s events which changed so tragically, will live on as an unforgettable epic.

He has only to glance across at the piano top at his home to be reminded of it all.

Proudly displayed there is an autographed picture of the new Queen, her husband and children, handed to him by the Royal couple last Thursday as a souvenir of the outward journey, when circumstances had been so different from what they are today.

[From the Watford Observer of February 8, 1952]