I was disappointed to miss the Duke of Edinburgh's* visit to my home town earlier this week - I would have enjoyed listening out for more gaffes.
Famous for saying the wrong thing, the Queen's hubby is 90 next week, and to celebrate The Independent printed a fantastic list of 90 of his best foot-in-mouth moments:
"I would like to go to Russia very much – although the bastards murdered half my family."
...which include racism:
"British women can't cook." To Scottish Women's Institute .
...sexism:
"I thought it was against the law these days for a woman to solicit." To a woman solicitor.
...snobbery:
"The problem with London is the tourists. They cause the congestion. If we could just stop the tourism, we could stop the congestion."
... insensitivity:
"People usually say that after a fire it is water damage that is the worst. We are still drying out Windsor Castle." To survivors of the Lockerbie bombings in 1993.
and the difficult-to-master double whammy:
"Do you know they have eating dogs for the anorexic now?" To a wheelchair-bound lady with a guide dog.
or
"You're not wearing mink knickers, are you?" To fashion writer Serena French at a World Wildlife Fund gathering in 1993
I've got a soft spot for the old duffer and the way he just says what he thinks. As he says himself: "I have never been noticeably reticent about talking on subjects about which I know nothing." I know the feeling.
Of course The Independent does have an axe to grind. Here's an exchange at a Golden Jubilee event in 2002:
Philip: "Who are you?"
Simon Kelner: "I'm the editor-in-chief of The Independent, Sir."
Philip: "What are you doing here?"
Kelner: "You invited me."
Philip: "Well, you didn't have to come!"
So anyway, he was in Wirral to judge a model boat competition, apparently. This is the Marine Lake here. I may post some more pics of it if you're interested... we have an evening view of people on the footpath that encircles it and an aerial view. Nice huh?
* Yes, the same Duke of Edinburgh as in 'Duke of Edinburgh Awards' for young people had this to say about them: "Young people are the same as they always were. They are just as ignorant."
Fabulous picture!!! - would make a terrific screen saver.
ReplyDeleteActually, if those things were said by someone else in a different context, some of them are quite funny gags!
ReplyDeleteI like it when he asked an Aboriginal leader if they still threw spears at each other.
I model myself on him.
ReplyDeleteThe world needs characters. Doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteOf all the Royals, he and Anne give best value for money. A lot of people pay good money to hear/read comedians (see, journalists at the Independent) quoting him.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth could William say, that would bring about a reaction? Harry might be a safer bet, but then perhaps that'd be down to the Hewitt strain.
Having a husband who says embarrassing things is a great character builder. Liz and I have so much in common!
ReplyDeleteKathryn (from You Are Here)
Rog - It has, darling, it has!
ReplyDeleteAnnie - I agree! I have come up with a few ideas for assistance dogs myself (cue next post...)
Dave - In that case I may reconsider your sermons
Note Bene - Indeed it does!
Martin - I've changed my mind about Harry since 'the wedding' - for a moment there he did look exactly like Charles. Poor wee bugger!
Kathryn - Did you see the quote on the list where he praises her tolerance? What's the worst thing your hubby has said?
Priceless !
ReplyDeleteI saw this list at the weekend, and some of the quotes defy belief. He may have lived a somewhat sheltered existence, but even so he has to be doing this on purpose. Doesn't he?
ReplyDeleteWe don't have anyone who comes out with the malaprops-isms nearly as consistently here in the U.S....jealous.
ReplyDeletenice..
ReplyDelete