British national Lindsey McAlister has just returned from a short trip to England. But this was no ordinary home visit. The Hong Kong Youth Arts Festival founder was at Buckingham Palace where she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). McAlister was given the honour on Friday in recognition of her commitment to education and for her contribution to UK arts overseas. Prince Charles did the honours.
'He's much more handsome in the flesh,' McAlister says. 'But my highlight though was sitting next to Dame Vivienne Westwood, who received her award for contribution to fashion. She's always been a hero of mine and we were seated next to each other. She's real down to earth. We chatted for an hour.
'Her outfit was fairly sober but she had these little silver horns on her head. She revealed to the press later that she also wasn't wearing any knickers. For the record, I was.'
Incidentally, Youth Arts Festival board member Paul Kan Man-lok was also made a Commander of the British Empire this year.