Freeth receives an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II

Ben was part of a group of almost 100 people from across the world who had been recognized on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List – published during June on the date of The Queens official birthday – and invited to the palace for Octobers investiture ceremony.

The British honours system, which evolved over 650 years, recognises merit, gallantry and service. Honours lists are released at New Year and mid-June and feature a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and countries around the world. Ben received his award For services to the farming community in Zimbabwe.

Wearing formal morning dress and accompanied by his wife Laura and their three children, Ben said it was awe-inspiring to drive through the famous gates of Buckingham Palace and under the arch into the courtyard past the Grenadier guards he remembered as a child. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly and made us feel completely at ease, said Ben.

We were taken to the palace ballroom, an imposing room with a towering ceiling about 30 feet high.

At the back of the room, seated high above the gathering, a military string band played background music throughout the ceremony. Each recipient was presented to the Queen, who stood on a dais throughout the hour-long ceremony. When it was Bens turn, he bowed before her as instructed and then walked up to receive his medal, which she pinned onto his jacket lapel before shaking his hand. It was like being in a fairytale, said Ben. The Queen was warm, friendly and well briefed about each of the recipients.

Queen concerned

She told me she was very sorry that our house had burnt down and asked if Id always lived in Zimbabwe. We also spoke briefly about Lauras family. She said she had visited Zimbabwe and had previously come to the country when it was still Rhodesia – she remembered how well she had always been received.

One of the things I will remember about her always are her beautiful blue eyes, they were so gracious, understanding and showed real concern, said Ben. Laura and the children, who had been escorted to a separate area where they would have a good view of the proceedings, watched Ben with pride. Laura wore a cream and brown dress with an elegant hat and the boys, Joshua (10) and Stephen (8), wore blazers and ties.

Little Anna (5), who loves fairytales and was amazed to actually be part of one, wore a bright pink dress with a white Elizabethan collar. Afterwards, when they visited the Houses of Parliament, Anna stared at the huge statues outside the imposing building. Why do all big people turn into stone? she asked. Ben is the second member of his family to receive a British honours award. His grandfather, Hugh Stanton Freeth, was presented with a DSO (Distinguished Service Order), a military decoration instituted in 1886 by Queen Victoria.

I wore his cufflinks with HSF engraved on them, which added a sense of family history, said Ben. Driving out of the palace and down the beautiful tree-lined Mall where the leaves were turning rich autumn shades, the Freeths stopped for a family photograph in front of an old Nuffield tractor. It was being used as a prop by a friendly crew involved in a fashion photoshoot. and was the last thing we expected to see in London! commented Laura.

The experience at the Buckingham Palace ceremony has further strengthened Bens resolve and commitment to his country. Its given me a feeling that we have a great responsibility to serve and that leadership is all about serving others, said Ben. While waiting in the gallery before receiving our awards I was privileged to speak to a number of other recipients from all fields who had been involved in different areas of service.

Bens experience at Buckingham Palace has strengthened his resolve to serve the Zimbabwean people and he hopes that his MBE will provide a platform from which he will be able to make a difference for the better in Zimbabwe.