Description

First ever network television interview with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip, HRH Duke of Edinburgh, answers questions on his attitudes to some aspects of contemporary Britain, put to him by Brian Redhead, William Hardcastle and Harold Evans. The discussion is chaired by Ludovic Kennedy.Shotlist 12:00:30:00 12:00:43:00 Titles 12:00:43:00 12:01:38:00 Ludovic Kennedy introduces HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who has flown up to Newcastle specially for the programme from London and Harold Evans, editor of The Sunday Times, Brian Redhead, northern editor of The Guardian and William Hardcastle. Ludovic asks Prince Philip why he chose to accept the invitation to be on this programme as opposed to the numerous other requests he must receive. Prince Philip responds by saying that he was flattered by the invitation and that people in the North-East of England have felt left out and so if his visit can make them feel less isolated, then he is happy to do so. 12:01:38:00 12:02:25:00 Harold Evans asks Prince Philip if he thinks there are any differences in the characteristics between people in the north or the south of England. He believes there are differences, due to the long established local communities in a country that has been established as long as the United Kingdom. 12:02:25:00 12:03:15:02 William Hardcastle highlights the separation of grievance in the north- east and asks Prince Philip if he thinks there is any way of avoiding this when the political power of the government and the Royal family are based down in the south-east of England. Prince Philip argues that there can only be one centre and that it can only be in one place. The system of democracy has to be spread in such a way that local communities are able to voice their opinions on the subjects that affect them. 12:03:15:02 12:03:56:00 Brian Redhead states that people in the north-east feel everything is happening in London and believes the people in London ought to know the north-east intimately. “When you were coming today, did you feel you were going a long way, out into the bush, or did you feel you were just going to the end of the garden?” Prince Philip responds by pointing out that Brian is asking the wrong man. He regularly travels to Australia and thinks it's not particularly far to travel to Sydney. He adds that one hour and twenty minutes in the plane to Newcastle is nothing to him, “We're all a part of the British Isles.” 12:03:56:00 12:04:55:00 Ludovic Kennedy asks Prince Philip how he imagined the north-east before he arrived. Prince Philip states that the east coast of any country has a climatic difference to the west coast. He refers to the industrial nature of the region and that the countryside looks different across the country, there are for example differences in the light and the buildings. 12:04:55:00 12:06:05:00 William Hardcastle asks Prince Philip to what extent he really sees the places he visits, to what extent he feels he really meets the people who are there. In his reply, he states that he gets out of London at least once a week and that he understands the preparations that take place before a Royal visit. He knows the difference between a normal train station and one that's been prepared for his arrival. He argues “how many travellers shake the hand of the station master every time they get out of a train?” 12:06:05:00 12:06:55:00 Brian Redhead asks if Prince Philip is really allowed to see a place “warts and all?” He answers that publicity cuts both ways, there's no obligation for the Royal family to accept an invitation or make a visit and that he can point the finger of publicity at both good and bad things. 12:06:55:00 12:07:31:00 Brian asks what kind of criteria Prince Philip uses to decide which invitations to accept or reject? He replies, things that are interesting, relevant, topical, new things, valuable things or something he might want to highlight as “the wrong way to do it.” 12:07:31:00 12:08:46:00 Harold Evans points out that Prince Philip once reported, in reference to the South Wales valleys, that it was unforgivable to keep making the same mistakes. “What did you have in mind for the South Wales valleys, or for that matter, the North when you made that remark?” Prince Philip questions Mr Evans. “Are you Welsh?” “Have you seen the South Wales valleys?” “Do you really think we ought to do the same thing again?” He then goes on to highlight the environmental devastation that was left behind in the lower Swansea valley after the copper smelting industry closed down and was concerned about industrial sprawl and dereliction of the area. “Don't let's do it again, that's the point.” 12:08:46:00 12:10:13:00 William Hardcastle asks “what is your job in your own mind? Prince Philip laughs and responds “I haven't got one, I'm self-employed.” Mr. Hardcastle presses him to answer what role he fulfils in modern society. He struggles to find an answer and states that his role is based on demand and that he tries to react to the expectations people have of him. He wants to use any inference he has as a leader of the community to be of benefit to the country as a whole. 12:10:13:00 12:11:15:00 Brian Redhead suggests that Prince Philip appears to be attempting to influence the outcome of situations or events by highlighting them, but asks if he'd prefer to be in a position to make an executive decision instead. Prince Philip claims that executive responsibility wouldn't work, as he couldn't cover as many subjects as he can now and that he has enough executive authority over other issues, such as sitting as a member of the Princes' Council of the Duchy of Cornwall. 12:11:15:00 12:12:21:00 Ludovic Kennedy asks if anything Prince Philip says results in change. The Prince laughs and claims his only success was a change in the rear lighting on Lorries when he was president of the AA (Automobile Association). He states that his ideas are often already being acted upon by others and his endorsement can often lend encouragement to their endeavours or allows them to quote him on their cause. 12:12:21:00 12:13:46:00 William Hardcastle asks if Prince Philip has either looked at the life of, or compared himself with the former consort Prince Albert. He responds by saying that he's looked at his life, but the situation is different. The position of the Queen and the Royal family is different to what it was. He theorises that there is more personality involved these days and that Prince Albert would have had certain interests and strengths that were personal to him and not be held in common with Prince Philip at all. He cites the Kennedys as an example, having done the same thing, with “personality enfusing (sic) the office.” He thinks that it is much easier for a monarchy to achieve this than a republic. 12:13:46:00 12:14:00:00 William Hardcastle goes on to ask Prince Philip if he feels that sometimes his talents are not used and would he like to do more? Does he become frustrated in any way? No more than anyone else, he replies, I share the frustrations of others. 12:14:00:00 12:15:20:00 Harold Evans raises the point that Prince Philip is seen as somewhat of a “cheerleader” for the country and that when he makes a criticism, especially in relation to politics, people respond negatively to his input. He asks Prince Philip if he is sometimes surprised by the response he receives. He is not surprised and likens the situation to “sliding along a knife edge.” He admits to making mistakes. 12:15:20:00 12:15:58:00 Brian Redhead asks if Prince Philip knows everything that goes on, for example, when the budget will be held, what the cabinet said, or does he find out in the newspapers? Prince Philip explains that he reads it in the papers like everyone else. He has little, if no inference on the course of events. He jokes that it saves him becoming confused over whether he read about something in the newspapers or in the cabinet papers. 12:15:58:00 12:16:32:00 Ludovic Kennedy picks Prince Philip up on this and asks him to clarify if he does or does not read the cabinet papers. He replies that he does not. Mr. Kennedy goes on to ask if Prince Philip was present when Roy Jenkins came to see the Queen before the budget. Prince Philip becomes agitated and reiterates that he has no influence over such things and does not take part in the meetings. 12:16:32:00 12:17:53:00 Harold Evans asks if Prince Philip has detected any change in the public attitude toward the monarchy over the years. He responds by saying that it has been considerable and that the monarchy is part of the fabric of society, as society changes, so does the monarchy. He explains that in 1953, he and HRH the Queen were a young couple with children and much more interesting to the press, whereas now, in middle-age, they are entering possibly the least interesting phase of their lives. He jests that with old age, he hopes that the Royal family will be regarded with more reverence. He thinks that in 1968, the public are less interested in them and either “can't stand us, or think we're alright.” 12:17:53:00 12:18:48:00 William Hardcastle asks what Prince Philip's view is of caricature of the monarchy. He explains that there are two sides to his role, the personal side and the institution. As the institution is important to the country, and he and HRH the Queen are just temporary tenants of the role that it is important not to pick on the individual too much and make their tenure much more difficult. 12:18:48:00 12:19:29:00 Brian Redhead raises the point that as Prince Philip and the Queen move out of the limelight, does he fear the limelight being thrown on to his eldest son and the other children as they reach the age of twenty-one? What will Prince Philip do to make that situation more tolerable? He considers it difficult to make it tolerable, but experience is more important. He will highlight the pitfalls, dangers and explain what is likely to happen in advance of a situation. 12:19:29:00 12:20:53:00 Ludovic Kennedy asks if Prince Philip's son Charles will be able to have a normal career, the same as any other boy might have or must he conform because of the job he will eventually have? Prince Philip states that most heirs have had jobs in the services and while there is no reason he should not have a job, he must always have an eye to the future of the country. While this seems unfair, it is part of the contract and it has compensations. 12:20:53:00 12:22:15:00 William Hardcastle asks if Prince Philip can foresee any complications ahead of Charles, as it is likely he will have a long wait before he succeeds the throne. Prince Philip explains that the monarchy only works if the public knows the members. He thinks that the more experience Charles can gain about how the country functions, the better. Then he can settle down and focus on one area. 12:22:15:00 12:23:17:00 Harold Evans makes reference to the Prince's antipathy to the press and recent “keyhole photography.” Has the situation improved? The Prince thinks that the situation has calmed down since he made his comments and that he has no issue with constructive criticism. 12:23:17:00 12:24:35:00 William Hardcastle discusses Prince Philip's reputation and attitude toward the press and mentions the rumour that he once sprayed a photographer with water. He asks, how Prince Philip really feels about the press. He considers that you cannot generalise about the press. He explains that in a free society, the only way to criticise people with the wrong ideas is through the press. He also thinks that the press has altered enormously “since this business of television came in.” 12:24:35:00 - 12:26:00:00 Ludovic Kennedy asks Prince Philip if it is a relief to the Royal family that there are far fewer magazine and newspaper articles about them in 1968 than there was ten years earlier, or do you feel that “you're slipping?” He answers for himself and says that it is a relief to him and that he'd admitted earlier that the Royal family are slipping. He goes on to explain that accepting an invitation to take part in the programme would have been very difficult ten years ago, as someone would have complained. He see things moving towards more two-way communication. 12:26:00:00 12:27:09:00 William Hardcastle asks to what extent does the living monarchy respond to the community. Prince Philip considers it to be a combination of both monarchy and society working together and cites the Victorian period as an example. 12:27:09:00 12:28:16:00 Harold Evans jokes that he hopes he is not sent to the tower, to which Prince Philip responds jokingly, “I can't send you anywhere.” Mr. Evans then states that he does not think that the Royal family is slipping at all and that according to a Sunday Times poll, Prince Philip is considered to be “top of the pops” in public opinion. Prince Philip jokes that he did not know the public had ever heard him singing. The question was 'who do you think is the most fascinating and exciting man of the twentieth century; dead or alive?' Prince Philip was ahead of President Kennedy, Sean Connery and Albert Schweitzer and his popularity was among the older age groups, but equally popular among the twenty-one to thirty-four age group, and more popular with women than men. Prince Philips' response is “I'd better run for something.” 12:28:16:00 12:30:14:00 William Hardcastle asks Prince Philip what his reaction was to the anti- Vietnam war protests held by students outside the American Embassy is Grosvenor Square a few weeks prior to the interview. Prince Philip believes that protests like that did not happen during the world wars, as people were much more involved, whereas the Vietnam War does not affect everyone and as a result, opinion becomes fragmented. He uses the period between the world wars as an example when many splinter groups formed. He goes on to discuss student unrest and say that the permissive society could not be further from the truth and that we live in the most regimented society, where “you practically need a licence to breathe.” He argues that the process of education is longer and that the responsibility of work comes later and that this must make young people feel as though they have very little influence. 12:30:14:00 12:31:08:00 Brian Redhead asks how Prince Philip would like to see this regimented system relaxed. He gives no definitive answer, but explains that the young do not have enough experience to value what is important and that a more complicated civilisation becomes harder to pass on to a younger generation. 12:31:08:00 12:32:28:00 Brian Redhead asks if the Crown could offer advice or offer a lead to the young on subjects such as racialism. Prince Philip side-steps racialism and generalises that people often say “they ought to do something” and that people have unloaded their responsibilities on to others. 12:32:28:00 12:34:56:00 Ludovic Kennedy returns to the subject of racialism. Prince Philip explains that people think of racialism as a colour related issue. He considers nationalism to be the same as racism and raises the question 'how do you define a Welshman if it isn't through his race?' He believes that people form tribal bonds and that men from different backgrounds live happily together when in a military regiment. However, if that common bond is taken away, people group together with their own kind. He gives the Bible as another example of a bond amongst people that stated everyone was equal in the eyes of God. He claims this was an anti-racialist concept. 12:34:56:00 12:35:35:00 William Hardcastle suggests that Prince Philip is in favour of nationalism, maybe even Scottish nationalism. Prince Philip disagrees and explains that he believes in patriotism and people being proud of their region. He believes that the essence of patriotism is not exclusive like nationalism. Anyone else can come and join it. He objects to the exclusivity of nationalism in a racial context. 12:35:35:00 12:36:29:00 Ludovic Kennedy asks Prince Philip what he has done to date that he would like to be remembered for. He chooses the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. 12:36:29:00 12:37:26:00 Ludovic Kennedy closes the programme and the end credits roll.

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