I have lived long enough to know about Prince Philip and all his foibles, wisecracks, brash remarks, on and on. But, in spite of it all, I have to say that I really like the man. Sometimes, I have to ask myself what in the world the Duke is thinking when he makes these public remarks which just don’t go down well. But, then suddenly I find myself with a grin on my face. The Queen has listened to the Duke and his blunt advice. I imagine the Queen is far too often told exactly what the courtiers want her to hear; but the Queen has gotten the real picture when the Duke tosses in his more than two bits. His long life has been a drama of amazing proportions: being born on Corfu in 1921, establishing himself in exile, being taken under the wing of Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma whose family name he adopted, excelling at Gordonston in Scotland, entering the Royal Navy, and finally capturing the heart of the future Queen of England and walking paces behind her. It has been an amazing road, but the strong-minded Duke has marched the path. I have always been interested in the Duke’s determination to strengthen or “toughen up” his son, the Prince of Wales. They are like Chalk and cheese as far as personality is concerned, but in these later years, the Duke has appreciated the Prince’s public work. He remains very angry over Prince Charles’ determination to place Camilla on the front line. In a recent interview, the Prince of Wales hinted that Camilla could possibly one day be Queen. When Philip heard about this comment, it is reported that he nearly blew the roof off. It isn’t that he disapproves of Camilla; rather, it is Charles’ lack of awareness of the public’s feelings.
I trust the Queen’s judgment, and certainly she knows her man. She is happy with him along her side. She knows how to handle him. I can just see charades at Balmoral in the fall of the year or at Sandringham when the Royal Family gathers for their Christmas holiday. The Queen and her sister Princess Margaret were master mimics. Can’t you image the scene with expert mimics targeting testy political figures which the Duke of Edinburgh has no time for? I would image that the younger Royals stand back in amazement at the scene. These events certainly reveal that Prince Philip is in fact “human” and is always good for a real laugh or cry.
Prince Philip has resisted much fuss for his 90th birthday. The Queen isn’t have anything to do with his position. So? On with the Exhibition at the Drawings Room at Windsor Castle. The Exhibition will begin on 12 February and will run until 22 January, 2012. There will be pieces of jewelry that the Prince designed for his wife especially a bracelet he gave her on their 5th wedding anniversary. No one had any idea that he paints, and a few of his watercolors will be in the exhibition. Important photographs will be included which cover his long life. His naval career will be highlighted and will include his hand-written mid-shipman’s log book from HMS Valiant.
Prince Philip was a foreign Prince; however, his adoption by Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma and his adoption of his uncle’s name began the education of a very English prince. Last year, Prince Philip consented to narrate and escort a camera team around Windsor Great Park. As Ranger of Windsor Park, one of his main responsibilities is the care, protection, and promotion of the land on the large estate. Each year during my summer visit to England, I go to Windsor “the back way” through Datchet. I stop at the Windsor Grocerty Market which is one of Prince Philip’s projects to market the excellent produce from the park. My friend Maureen Walker and I were in the market last summer when the Duke came in to inspect his project. He comes to visit often, and everyone has a warm and friendly relationship with him; you could see it in their faces. I liked his usual English remark as he got out of his Range Rover and said: ”I think we will have some good weather now for awhile.” I was amused. If I had had a chance, I would have congratulated him on his great interest in bees and honey production on the Crown Lands. Very important, in my view.
Princess Anne is out and about London on a regular basis. She is on television talking about one of her charities or projects. As I listen to her, I can see her father through and through. There is nothing hesitant in her speech whatsoever. Just like her father!
I make a prediction! When Prince Edward was given the title EARL OF WESSEX, I said to myself that the Prince is the son of the Queen, why is he not a royal duke. Then it dawned on me, Prince Edward will take the title “Duke of Edinburgh” after his father’s passing. I know the title is dear to the Queen who will certainly do all in her power to see that the title does not die out as it has twice before.
Visitors to England this year will find themselves one day or another at Windsor Castle. Don’t miss this exhibition. By the way, I prefer to go to Windsor in the winter when the semi-state rooms are open and THERE ARE NO LINES. But, if you are at the castle during the busy months, be sure you are in line very early in the morning to prevent the long lines. Last summer I went to Windsor to see if the gift shops had some cups I was looking for, and I was amazed at how long the lines have gotten over the past years. I am sure this exhibition about the Duke of Edinburgh will attract large groups who are very curious about this unique and powerful personality: Prince Philip.
Wonderful!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
http://www.londonconnection.com
The visitors to the Royal Wedding that are staying in our flat at Parliament Square will just walk out the front door and walk across the street to Westminster Abbey–Perfect. Others of us will be coming to the Abbey from other parts of the city. The wedding route has been posted for those of us who are going to be on the streets watching this momentous occasion–pageantry better than anywhere in the world. The bride will be driven to the Abbey in one of the Royal cars rather than in a carriage; it is reported that she is allergic to horses, and the use of a horse and carriage might creative problems before the ceremony in the Abbey. The route will be from the Palace down the Mall to Horse Guards and on down Whitehall to the Abbey. After the ceremony, the royal party will return to Buckingham Palace along the same route: Parliament Square, up Whitehall to Horse Guards, through the gateway and along the Mall and on to the Palace. Once at the Palace, the royal couple will make an appearance on the balcony to greet the crowds. Everyone is hoping for a balcony kiss.
