Nash Ali, right, outside the council chamber last night (Monday) with Town Hall leader Georgia Gould

MAYOR of Camden Nash Ali has reflected on his meetings with the royal family – and how the Queen had to stifle a laugh after he shared a joke with Prince Philip.

He was speaking as Camden Council held a special all-member meeting last night (Monday) in which councillors, aldermen, members of the public and Town Hall staff paid tribute to the Queen.

Here is what Cllr Ali said:

“As we are all aware, last Thursday evening, we heard the sad news of the passing of our late sovereign Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II earlier that day at Balmoral Castle.

It was a shocking experience I’m sure for everyone – and it was the same for me when I heard about the news of the passing of Her Majesty – who was no doubt a very popular person in most people’s homes and eyes, and it was sad seeing the tears that everyone had.

It was very moving. Even though a lot of people hadn’t met the Queen probably in person, she’s touched a lot of hearts and emotions.

I have fond memories of meeting the Queen in 2003, and she was such an amazing, joyful person. I was nervous. It was in King’s Cross Station and as mayors we look forward to these royal visits and but it’s nerve-wracking as well.

But she was so happy that once you met her, you know that you’re comforted.

There’s a photo of me having a laugh and a giggle in the background with Prince Philip, who had just told me a joke and the Queen didn’t want to burst out laughing so she’s walking away with a smile on her face.

And I’ll always remember remember that photo of the late Prince Philip and Her Majesty and also I’m so grateful for the Queen for honouring me with the OBE which I’m wearing today for my services to to local government and to the community in 2011 for the New Year’s Honours List when I was leader of the council.

And I’m grateful for everything the Queen has done for the country in the last 70 years: the longest reigning monarch we’ve ever had and probably ever will have. I think it’ll be a very tough challenge for everyone going forward because she’s set the standards so high.

I know we’re here and there’s lots of moving stories from people, emotions.

We just want to recognise and celebrate he accession to the throne of His Majesty King Charles III.

It was a privilege and honour for me to read the proclamation yesterday (Sunday) welcoming King Charles III.

In Camden, we always made sure that we’re doing a special multi-faith multicultural way where we include our community and it was lovely to have our faith leaders and humanist leader read out prayers and readings from the different faiths and also to see the community come together and I see some members here and it’s good to see lots of our councillors and our leader and our MP Keir Starmer there as well.

Unfortunately, Tulip Siddiq had another funeral, so she sent an apologies. For me, it’s difficult because you want to sort of in some ways celebrate the new king coming in and also we’re sad because of the passing of the Queen but I’d met His Majesty King Charles III on several occasions because I was on the Prince’s Trust and also I’m grateful to him for presenting me with the OBE in Buckingham Palace in 2011.

He thanked me for all the work that I’ve done with with the Prince’s Trust and everything else.

And again, King Charles III is a very warm, joyful person and I know he will be an amazing king. Can I also thank our staff members who were fantastic. They were amazing in the way they pulled together and work together to bring together the proclamation event.

Members of my mayor’s team were away on holiday abroad and they were up til 12 o’clock midnight, one o’clock in the night, emailing back and forth.

Within a couple of days, they’ve managed to get this event where we had to make sure it’s a very special event. Because this was a big one, one of the biggest events. We’ll probably never get to see another proclamation – well some of you might.

Some of us might never see another proclamation in our lifetime, and I just want to record my formal thanks to all the officers who were involved for putting together a historic event so that we showed our respect to our new sovereign.

His Majesty King Charles III, wishing him a long, peaceful and happy reign.”