Investiture at Buckingham Palace for Denise O’Leary MBE

Marketing expert Denise O’Leary, founder of Purpol Marketing attended the first Investiture to be held at Buckingham Palace since the Pandemic, and was presented with the MBE – Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

An Investiture is the very special day when someone who has been awarded an honour receives their award in person from The Queen, or a Member of the Royal Family. The investee visits a Royal residence, usually Buckingham Palace, with members of their family, to receive their insignia.

Denise was awarded an MBE for services to the Construction sector and Entrepreneurs in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List.
She received the honour for the work she has done to demystify the world of construction and marketing.
As construction specialist, Denise is trusted with confidential company information and company survival can depend on the winning outcome; Denise’s marketing and bid writing skills have saved companies.

The ceremony took place in the Throne Room – where an Investiture last took place in 1904. On duty was the Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard and we were also serenaded by the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra.
“I was so thrilled and humbled to be part of such a historic occasion – The Duke of Cambridge was very friendly and we had a wonderful personal chat, it was like a private audience as each person was awarded individually. We chatted about the importance of training young people and my love of the colour purple!

We were escorted through the palace and had a special pin placed on my clothes so the insignia was easily hooked on when the honour was awarded.

The whole occasion was incredible – the opulent surroundings, made even more amazing by the fact we were the first Investiture in the Palace post pandemic and had the honour of an audience with HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in the iconic Throne Room – the scene for many Royal Wedding Photographs.
Everyone was so lovely – offering their congratulations and allowing us to appreciate the magnificence of the occasion. This was a magical, memorable and truly unforgettable experience