Streaker who once flashed the Queen fondly recalls how she forgave him

Can't imagine what the Queen thought when she witnessed a rather unfamiliar set of Crown Jewels.

"Those diamonds aren't as polished as I remember," she most likely pondered.

Back in 2002, a former civil servant opted to strip down for Her Majesty when she visited Newcastle to unveil a monument of Cardinal Basil Hume.

He had the words 'Rude Britannia' lettered on his backside.

As one would expect, security quickly hurled him to the ground and put him in handcuffs.

Reed was later issued with a 12-month conditional discharge at Newcastle Magistrates after he pleaded guilty to indecent exposure following the incident.

The Newcastle-based prankster was sacked as a result of the stunt.

He wrote a letter of apology to the Queen and, remarkably, received a reply in less than two weeks.

The letter, signed by Mrs Deborah Bean, Chief Correspondent's Officer, read:  "Thank you for your letter to The Queen of 26th May apologising for you behaviour during Her Majesty's visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne last month.

"I write to say that your apology is accepted."

Reed, now 47, has paid tribute to the Queen describing her as a 'sweet lady'.

He said: "It was a bit of a shock when I found out. 

"I was on the beach and someone told me she was a bit ill. I was suspicious at  first when some stranger on a beach told me the news.

"It's sad news. There was so much ambiguity about her state of health. 

"She was a nice person. A sweet lady has just passed away. 

"I'm sad for the family. 

"I completely sympathise with their loss. I've had relatives that have passed  away and it's difficult."

Brynn said he doesn't wish to discuss his actions that day, as a mark of respect for the Queen.

Buckingham Palace made the official announcement of the Queen's death at 6:30pm on 8 September, which read: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon."

King Charles III ascended to the throne immediately on the death of Elizabeth II.

Charles said in a written statement: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.

“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”