Teresa Murray, Principal of St. Ronan's Primary School, Lisnaskea was “honoured” to receive her MBE medal at a service at Buckingham Palace on 10th December.

Teresa was awarded the Members of the British Empire (MBE) in The Queen's Birthday Honours in June. She attended the Investiture ceremony at The Palace in December, along with her husband Eamon and brothers Ciaran and Malachy McBrien.

"I was proud and honoured to represent my school and community," Mrs. Murray explains.

Tradition states that, during the ceremony, the Queen enters the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace attended by two Gurkha Orderly Officers, (a tradition begun in 1876 by Queen Victoria.) On duty on the dais were five members of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, which was created in 1485 by Henry VII; they are the oldest military corps in the United Kingdom. Four Gentlemen Ushers were on duty to help look after the recipients and their guests.

There were approximately 80 recipients at the Investiture and the music was provided by an orchestra from one of the Bands of the Household Division.

The Queen is escorted by either the Lord Chamberlain or the Lord Steward. After the National Anthem has been played, he stands to the right of Her Majesty and announces the names of each recipient and the achievement for which he or she is being decorated.

"We had a little conversation," Teresa reports. Queen Elizabeth asked Teresa what part of Northern Ireland she was from, to which she said "County Fermanagh, where you visited recently." In response, her Majesty said: "Things are very much better in Northern Ireland now."