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When I was married and living in the UK my ex wife did meet the Queen Mother as part of a racehorsing charity in Newmarket. It was reported the old girl was very personable and had a quick wit.She's so well traveled (22 times to Canada, 17 to the US I think) that I bet a lot of people here have seen her in person.
I've seen her twice. The first time was in a little town called Portage-la-Prairie, Manitoba when she visited for our centenary in 1970. I was 11 years old and our entire school was bussed to the park for the occasion. My brother who was 9 was closer and shook hands with Prince Philip. He also shook hands with an RCMP officer. My brother was a very enthusiastic hand-shaker that day. "You shook hands with a cop, idiot" I offered helpfully.
I also saw her at the Manitoba Legislature in 2002. The crowds were larger there but we were on a hill (Manitoba does so have hills!) and had a good view as she walked along greeting people in the crowd.
Indicative of her travels is that she visited Manitoba a total of five times during her reign. For centennial celebrations, art gallery openings etc. It was always a really big deal.
That is as close as this queen ever got.