Desert Blondie`s comment on my Hub yesterday - got me thinking. She shared with us an interesting note about her daughter meeting Prince Charles at the Tower of London. It reminded me about something that happened to me over thirty years ago.

I was working in Harrods, Knightsbridge at the time. My job as a trainee buyer meant that I often had to leave the department where I worked in order to go to other areas of the store. On one of these occasions I was walking through one of the ground-floor departments ( I think it was either fashion jewellery or scarves). I was lost in my own thoughts - when I saw a familiar face. The person was looking at items at a counter. I knew I recognised them ... but from where? Just couldn`t think. I carried on walking. Then it hit me. They had to be someone from my school days.

I felt I shouldn`t ignore them - I should go back and say "Hello", " How are you doing?", "Where are you working at the moment?" - it had sometimes happened before. So back I went, reaching out my hand to tap politely on their shoulder - only to realise in the split second before I touched her - who she was.

It was Princess Anne - one of the most famous people in London at the time.

I froze. Stepped back and walked away as quick as I could. My heart pounding. I had been about to start talking to the Princess as though she was old friend. She had a reputation for not suffering fools gladly - and oh dear, that would have been very foolish - even for me! What did her bodyguard think I was going to do with my hand poised in mid-air? What would Harrods management feel about it? - they would not be pleased. Phew.... talk about a narrow escape ....

Harrods is a magnet for the rich and famous. During the two years that I worked there I somehow missed most of them.

One afternoon the word flew round the store that Paul McCartney was in. He was apparently buying baby clothes - now this was fortunate for me as I worked in childrenswear - I was able to slip quietly down to the right and see my childhood heartthrob. In the early 60`s this would have been unbelievable for me, but this was sometime around 1970 and it`s a long time between age 10 and 18 ...... so I was rather nonchalant about it all. That seems crazy to me now !

I also saw Dusty Springfield at the button counter!

For a place so popular with VIPs I saw relatively few of them. How about the rest of the Hubbers - any more famous sightings among us?

Oh, I did see Wendy Craig on the main escalator .... and Derek Nimmo in Ladies Suits ...... and I was told that Ava G......

I haven`t seen many Royals close up - but one time I did was at Windsor, in the mid 80`s. One of my young daughters was on a school trip visiting the castle at Windsor - I went along as well (as one of the accompanying Mums).

Towards lunchtime we made our way to the Long Walk. As it was Ascot Week we were met by lots of people waiting to see the Royal family exit the castle and drive to the racecourse at Ascot, about three miles away. So we had our picnic lunch and waited with everyone. We weren`t disappointed. Soon almost all of the Royal family swept slowly past us. Sadly that was still too quickly for me to register much more than an impression of immaculate clothing and the fact that one of the cars seemed very full.

We were lucky enough to have a good view of Diana who was seated on our side of the road - I can`t recall who was with her .......

But my most clear and lasting memory was of Princess Margaret who was riding alone in her car - she looked almost bewildered - as if she had never done this before. I was also struck by how tiny and vulnerable she seemed.

Several years later Sarah, the Duchess of York (Fergie) - who lives nearby, took her two daughters (Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie) to do much the same as myself, and countless other Mums. They were photographed standing at the side of the roadway as the Royals made their annual entry into Ascot. This caused a big controversy at the time as it seemed to highlight the "gulf" between Sarah and her inlaws. (Prince Andrew was photographed with his family doing exactly the same thing the next day - damage limitation surely not ........)

Windsor is a great location to see the Royals. The Queen is often there at the weekend. Every time we drive past on Sundays, the royal standard has always been visible - and I always remark to my children "oh look, the Queen is at home ...." they always are rather disinterested. Perhaps next time I shall say "oh look there goes Kate Moss" that will get a reaction.

Another really good place to go celebrity spotting is Brighton. Many famous people live there. Or like to visit. Presumably to avoid fans on the lookout for celebrities in London. Having said that the only men I have ever seen wearing bright green jackets - yes, peppermint green each time - were both very famous. They weren`t exactly keeping a low profile whilst out and about in London`s West End.

Brighton residents (or is it Hove actually) include Heather Mills, Jordon (and Pete), Chris Eubank to name a few. Brad Pitt`s name could be added to that list in a few years time if my daughter `s information is correct.

Brighton is very like London in lots of ways - great for shopping, eating out, and nightlife - and it has it`s own former royal residence the Pavilion. Best of all it has the sea.

I always call Brighton ..... London-on-sea. It is well worth a visit.