Local women fly to D.C. to see Queen Elizabeth II

By Cassandra Mickens

The Selma Times-Journal

Joy Green’s lifelong fascination with royalty brought her within a few feet of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday during Her Majesty’s official two-day visit to Washington, D.C.

Green, a Selma resident, and her 83-year old mother, Nell Edward, booked an impromptu flight to the nation’s capital when Green’s daughter, Katherine Green, scored tickets to the queen’s White House visit via her job at the U.S. Department of Justice. It was an opportunity Green couldn’t pass up.

Green’s sister, LeeAnne Odom of Dallas, Texas, also traveled to Washington to catch a glimpse of the queen, her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and President George W. Bush.

The ladies were among 7,000 ticket holders who lined up on the South Lawn of the White House at 7 a.m. Green said everyone was given an American flag and a British flag to wave and &8220;lots of ladies were wearing hats in honor of the queen.&8221; At 10:56 a.m., the queen arrived. She was dressed in a black and white hat, white gloves, a white jacket and black skirt.

The ladies &8220;had good seats&8221; for the formal arrival and were situated next to press corps. Green said she didn’t have the chance to meet and greet the queen or the president, &8220;but we made lots of pictures.&8221;

Green returned to Selma Tuesday night. She has traveled to Washington, D.C. in previous years, but deemed this trip the &8220;most exciting.&8221;