Hilda Miller has fond memories of meeting Prince Philip and showing him around her sheltered accommodation in Scotland. The Duke of Edinburgh opened the Croft-an-Righ retirement complex in Abbeyhill, Holyrood which was built in 1989. But Hilda, who will be 101 in June 2025, thought the royal occasion had not been properly recorded. 

So she badgered Buckingham Palace to arrange a second visit while the Duke was staying at the nearby Holyrood royal residence in Edinburgh, and finally it was agreed this should take place in 2007 so official photographs could be taken. Hilda, who attends Edinburgh 15 tea parties and has lived at Croft-an-Righ for 33 years, said: “I was so pleased when he agreed to come. It was a really special day. 

“He initially wanted to see the gardens but I persuaded him to look around my flat as well. At one point it was just me and him talking as his security team waited outside - I suppose they must have trusted me! He was very pleasant but didn’t say much, probably because I was doing most of the talking.

“We had pictures taken on the day, and one big one was framed and hung in pride of place in the lounge. But sadly it disappeared some time back and I have no idea where it is now. “It’s a great shame and I’d love to get it back so it can take pride of place where everyone can see it again.”

In the 1970s, multi-talented Hilda helped develop the Central Typing Services department at Edinburgh Council as well as organising many social activities including, swimming, bowling, putting and keep-fit classes. She was also a ballroom and Scottish country dancer, dressmaker, and she loves reciting poetry. Hilda She married to Robert McCoy for more than 50 years until his death in 2002. Six years later, at the age of 84, Hilda married James Miller, who died in 2014. 

Sonya Brown, group coordinator for the Edinburgh 15 tea party group, said: “Hilda is a wonderful personality and loves talking about the day the Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit. Obviously the picture means a lot to her.”