4:42pm Thursday 11th March 2010
By Jack Royston
HARROW'S first black mayor got a royal reception when she collected her OBE at Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Councillor Lurline Champagnie (Cons/Pinner) was honoured for services to local government and diversity in January, and picked up the medal with husband Clive at about 1pm.
She then went to the Guildhall, in the city, for her reception where she was joined by dignitaries including current Harrow mayor, Councillor Eric Silver.
Speaking before the ceremony, she said: “I'm just so excited. It's fantastic to know that you are really going to stand before the Queen.
“It's very exciting and I'm very honoured.”
Cllr Champagnie became the borough's first black mayor in 2004.
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