Prince Philip clicks with news media

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 22

Prince Philip clicks with news media

NZPA-PA London The Duke of Edinburgh says he has “a wholly undeserved reputation for disliking press photographers.” Prince Philip was speaking at the 250th anniversary dinner of London’s oldest daily journal, “Lloyd’s List.” The Duke, responding on behalf of the guests at the dinner at the Guildhall, London, said, “For someone who has, in my opinion at least, a wholly undeserved reputation for disliking press photographers, and whose family is not unknown to be the subject to comment by journalists, of be invited to dinner by the oldest international daily newspaper in the world is balm to the soul. “The fact that ‘Lloyd’s List’ does not, as far as I know, indulge in a gossip column, does not employ photographers with long lenses, nor does it stray very far from maritime affairs, does nothing to spoil my appreciation.” Prince Philip’s remarks came only weeks after Prince Andrew sprayed

pressmen with white paint during his visit to California. Prince Philip himself sprayed two photographers with water in 1959 when he turned on an electronic garden spray at the Chelsea Flower Show. He said that like so many enterprises during the 1960 s and 19705, “Lloyd’s List” was badly shaken by inflation and rising real costs. But instead of giving up the struggle or trying to stick with outdated practices, a “much more optimistic policy” was adopted. “Lloyd’s of London Press was set up as a separate body, it was provided with the most modern equipment, moved to Colchester and since then has never looked back,’ he said. Giving a toast to “Lloyd’s List” on its 250th birthday, he said, “Long may it continue to provide the shipping world with the best possible news service.” “Lloyd's List” is distributed in more than 100 countries for all engaged in shipping, insurance, energy, transportation, banking and finance.