Advantage chief Julia Lo Bue-Said reflects on chat with King at OBE ceremony

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said described receiving an OBE from the King this week as the “most extraordinary, surreal moment of my life”.

Lo Bue-Said, who was named in the King’s birthday honours list in June for services to business and tourism, attended Windsor Castle on Tuesday (February 17) for her investiture.

She said she was “really lucky” to be given her OBE by the head of the royal family, noting she was originally going to be attending the ceremony in December last year.

“The stars were clearly aligned – it was meant to be,” said Lo Bue-Said, who was accompanied by her family on Tuesday.

“It was a beautiful, sunny day and just the most extraordinary, surreal moment of my life.”

During a webcast interview with Travel Weekly, she revealed she was “really nervous” in the lead-up to the ceremony but went on to have a conversation with the King.

“It felt like a very long conversation, but it was only about 30 seconds,” she said, adding that she was asked about her role.

“I said, ‘I know you love travelling’. And he said, ‘I used to love travel, but I can’t bear to be on planes anymore’.”