The Queen's gift from Sark

Monday 22 July 2024

When Queen Camilla left Guernsey she was wearing two pieces of jewellery made for her, and gifted by, local school girls.

One was made and gifted by Guernsey school girl Lola Burdett, while the other was made and gifted by 12-year-old Mia Craik-Knight from Sark.

Mia attends school in Scotland, but she is currently back in her home island for her summer break, spending time with her father and her friends.

Mia says this year's summer trip has been even more special because it coincided with King Charles III's first visit to the Bailiwick as Monarch accompanied by his Queen Consort.

Pictured: The Loyal Address being read by Sark's Speaker Paul Armorgie in front of Sark school pupils, and members of the public from Sark, at Les Cotils, Guernsey on Tuesday 16 July, 2024.

Mia and her dad, along with her friend Robin, and others, were among the estimated 200 people that travelled from Sark to Guernsey for the day to take part in events at Les Cotils. 

While pupils from Sark School sang a song in Sercquiaise and presented hand made gifts to the Queen, Mia and her friend Robin - who attends school in Guernsey - were with the members of the public from Sark invited over too. 

It was during the events at Les Cotils that Mia was able to make her move and give her bracelet to the Queen.

"I was just really excited that all the Sark people were given the opportunity to go up to the Cotils and actually watch," said Mia. 

Pictured: Mia (in blue) and Robin (in red) at Les Cotils for the King and Queen's visit last week.

"Me and my friend waited for the Royals to arrive, and then we made sure we got right to the front when they actually arrived so we could get a chance to give the bracelet to the Queen. We made sure we got to the very front," she said.

Mia has been making lots of bracelets this summer, with some for sale in Sark. 

The one she chose to gift to the Queen was blue in colour with different charms on it. Luckily, it matched what Her Majesty was wearing on the day. 

"I've been making quite a few recently just because I I like making them," she said.

"I've made some before to sell, but I just wanted to give one to Queen Camilla so she can remember her visit.

Pictured: The moment that Mia gifted her bracelet to Queen Camilla.

"I gave it to her and she said, 'Oh, thank you very much. Blue is actually my favourite colour,' so I'm glad I chose the right bracelet because I had one of every colour and I wanted to make sure I gave her her favourite colour.

"It had lots of different shades of blue in different colours, and it had a little starfish charm in the middle of it.

"I said to her 'it matches your outfit perfectly!'."

Mia said the Queen seemed very grateful for the gift and immediately put the bracelet on and since then she has seen loads of photos of her wearing it. 

"She wasn't reluctant at all," said Mia. "She just put it on her wrist straight away."

Pictured: Queen Camilla wearing the blue bracelet made and gifted by Mia Craik-Knight. (Chris George)

"It's just crazy because we look at some photos and then my dad would say to me, 'there's the bracelet! There's the bracelet that you made!' and it's just crazy to think that that was something that I made."

Mia said while this helped make the day even more special for her everyone seemed to have really enjoyed themselves, and there was a really happy atmosphere on the boat back to Sark after the Royals had left Guernsey.

"Everyone was just really happy, I think because it's a very rare thing and the King doesn't come very often. So to get to see him and Queen Camilla was just an amazing experience for all of us."

This sentiment was echoed by the Sark Seigneur, who on the day had told Express "I don't think it could have gone much better." 

Pictured: The King and Queen are believed to have met everyone who travelled over from Sark for the occasion.

"Once you bring the children, the parents have to come too, and so it's had a nice impact," said Major Christopher Beaumont.

"We've got a great view, you can see the island from here, it's a nice site, it's compact so nobody has to go very far.

"When the King and Queen went around, I think he shook hands with everybody, I don't think anyone was left out."

Major Beaumont said that overall he was really pleased with the outcome of the day's events for Sark.

"(When) it became apparent that we were going to have to come here if we were going to take part in the day, we came in full force and it has gone as well as it could.

"I don't think it could have gone any better."

Pictured: The King and Queen were unable to visit Sark and Alderney on this occasion due to time constraints. His Majesty was overheard telling two men that "I'm really annoyed we didn't get over there!" as he gestured towards Sark from the gardens at Les Cotils.

Mia has made a number of her bracelets to sell with an opportunity for people to purchase them this coming weekend.

"I'm going be selling them at my great gran's craft store at the Creative Sark market," she said.

That's happening this Saturday.

Pictured top: Queen Camilla wearing the blue bracelet made and gifted by Mia Craik-Knight. (Chris George)

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