She is well-known being in the spotlight in recent years, but the Recorder can reveal that former Only Way is Essex star Amy Childs’ first brush with fame took place when the Queen visited Romford nine years ago.

A long time before she owned a salon, or had her own TV show, Raphael Independent School pupil Amy joined her father at Havering’s royal celebrations.

During Her Majesty’s only visit to the borough in the 60 years of her reign, a brace-wearing, 12-year-old Amy presented the Queen with a bouquet of flowers.

And the star-struck schoolgirl thought that Her Majesty was “pretty”.

The Recorder of March 7 2003 carried the story and reported that flower stall owners Billy Childs and Trevor Long had prepared for a week for Her Majesty’s visit to Romford Market.

They travelled to Holland to select flowers, and gave some to their daughters Amy and Maria to present to the Queen.

Amy told the Recorder this week that she still remembers the day well: “I had to present her with my Dad’s flowers. I remember thinking how pretty she was, the market was packed there was security everywhere. It was an amazing experience,” she said.

“The Duke asked me what’s it my mouth I was trying to explain about my braces. I curtsied to the Queen that is something I will always remember.”

The Queen told her that the flowers were beautiful, she added.

And her proud family still keep her cuttings from the Recorder: “There are still pictures all over my Dad’s garden centre. It was the first time I appeared in a newspaper. My family were so proud.”

Amy’s name appeared in the Recorder later that year as she went on to represent the borough as a schools table tennis player.

Who would have thought that the star’s many newspaper appearences would have started meeting the Queen in her local paper?