Manu Chandaria's encounter with Queen Elizabeth and Dolly Parton

When Manu Chandaria met with Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. [Courtesy]

The instruction was terse and final. Do not speak unless you are spoken to. He was not to speak to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom unless she spoke to him. He was, of course, not going to. But little did he or her courtiers know that the Queen’s question would trigger a conversation.

 “Where do you come from?” she asked.

 He does not say he thought about how to frame his answer. But the way it was put was bound to excite her. Indeed, it appeared designed to remind her of an important milestone in her life.