By Lucy Warhurst
For one Aucklander, receiving a Queen's honour has been a real magic moment.
Already a grand master and member of the Inner Magic Circle with a gold star, Alan Watson hadn't contemplated any higher recognition.
Mr Watson couldn't believe his own eyes when received a letter from the Prime Minister telling him he'd been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services as a magician.
He thought someone was playing a trick on him.
"When I read it I thought someone was having a practical joke, I actually rang Wellington just to check it because I thought someone was having me on," says Mr Watson.
Magic is in the Watson family - it had him under a spell from the age of seven when saw his great-great uncle's box of tricks. Mr Watson's wife, three daughters and granddaughter have all since picked up the wand.
But with countless awards under his hat, this grand master of magic didn't think there were any more to be had.
"Receiving the New Zealand Grand Master Award and the Benny Award, that was the top - this is like the icing on the cake for a career," he says.
Despite his highflying life of showbiz Mr Watson remains humble, and his focus on community may be another factor in him earning this honour.
"Magic's been very good to me and I've been very fortunate in life, so what I've been doing is helping the younger ones, mentoring the younger ones."
Mr Watson has known for months about his honour, but after a lifetime of guarding the mystery of his craft, it wasn't difficult to keep this card close to his chest.
"My whole life has been keeping secrets, I've had to keep secrets all my life so that wasn't the hard part," he says.
But this is one rabbit he can't wait to pull out of the hat.
3 News
source: newshub archive
