Royal picture scoop

Press, 3 May 1983, Page 2

Royal picture scoop

By

DAVID PORTER

NZPA staff correspondent

While most of the photographers covering the New Zealand leg of the Royal tour relaxed /on Saturday, one stayed on the job — and got an exclusive snap of the Royal couple relaxing before their departure. The photographer, who asked to remain unnamed until the picture’s publication, would not divulge details of the picture, but NZPA understands that it shows the Prince running with his wife over his shoulder as the Princess slaps his shoulder for him to put her down.

The Royal couple were relaxing at a barbecue for staff and officials at Government House, Auckland, which was closed to the press.

However, the photographer had earlier checked out the grounds, which adjoin a public reserve. From one point of the public area, he found he could get a clear; though distant, view of the lawn of Government House.

There could be no complaints about his taking the picture, he said, as he was in a public place — and standing next to a policeman, one of several on security duty around Government House.

The photo was expected

to appear in a British daily morning newspaper. The British photographers ■ on the tour have impressed — and often irritated — New Zealand crowds with their persistence in trying to get shots of the Royal couple, but the ingenuity of one of them at Waitangi on Friday backfired. He had the bright idea of slipping a small camera to one of the Maori women who were to be with the Prince . and Princess on their historic ride in the

Waitangi war canoe. The couple were the first members of Royalty to ride in the 43-year-old canoe. The photographer instructed. the woman to make sure she got close to the Princess for shots of Princess Diana in the canoe framed by the Maori crew. Unfortunately, the woman took his directions too literally and the photographer ended up with 27 very closeup shots of the Princess’s face — with no background at all.