Queen Elizabeth laughed when she presented a cotton bud manufacturer with an award.


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Antony Wagman, chief executive of Quest Personal Care Global, travelled to Buckingham Palace last Monday (14.07.08) after winning a Queen’s Award for International Trade earlier this year.

He said: “The queen was a lovely lady – very chatty and very knowledgeable.

“She giggled when I said I manufactured cotton buds, saying that she thought everybody would need them. I told her that I didn’t sell them to her yet and she giggled again. We also talked about China and how often I go there to see my manufacturers.”

Antony and his wife joined representatives from four other firms for the champagne reception and meeting with the queen, and despite expecting a brief meeting, the award-winners were granted ten minutes with the monarch.

The Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Michael Oglesby, who is also chairman of the Bruntwood Group, visited Quest’s office recently.

He presented the chief executive with the Queen’s Award for International Trade, watched by staff, friends and family.