As the country marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and celebrates her 70 years on the throne one Monmouthshire woman has recalled the day she met the Queen more than 40 years ago.

The Queen was on tour with her husband Prince Phillip taking in Saudi Arabia.

During that time, back in 1977 Susan Keywood arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to take up a contract with the University.

Upon arrival, Susan discovered a gap in the education system for British children arriving in the country.

The youngsters were often the children of businessmen arriving to help build Saudi Arabia into the city it is today.

As there was no suitable education facilities for the British children they would be sent back to a boarding school in the UK or attend an American school.

Susan says, “This didn’t sit right with me.”

“After a few months of deliberation, I decided to open a school in our apartment” - a brave decision as the Saudi Government while accepted the school, it was operating but it was barely legal.

Then, in 1979 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip came to visit the city.

After only expecting to wave as they passed the airport, Susan says, “I was surprised to receive an invitation from the British High Commission to take some of the children to the Royal Guest Palace to greet them.”

The children spent time making flags and rosettes before the school was closed for the day.

Susan recalls that when the Queen and Prince Phillip reached the group, the Royal couple wanted to know more about the British school.

“They asked us questions about the school. It became clear that they were briefed about what we were doing and why,” Susan says.

“It was surreal. I was able to explain that the school was illegal and how the British community need a proper British school,” she says.

Susan had hoped to put her case for a legal Engllish school to operate in the country to someone high up in government but didn’t expect that person to be the Queen.

Following her meeting during the Royal couple’s visit Susan learned that a new British school was planned for the city.

The school is now a well-regarded international school which provides education to students between three and 18 years old.

Susan believes this school has come about and is down to the conversation she had with the Queen and Prince Phillip.

More specifically, she believes Prince Phillips pushed for the school due to his passion for education.

“It was a memorable morning,” Susan said.