Thursday 2 June 2011

Mink knickers and water damage

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."

11 comments:

  1. Fabulous picture!!! - would make a terrific screen saver.

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  2. Actually, if those things were said by someone else in a different context, some of them are quite funny gags!

    I like it when he asked an Aboriginal leader if they still threw spears at each other.

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  3. The world needs characters. Doesn't it?

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  4. Of 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.

    What 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.

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  5. Having a husband who says embarrassing things is a great character builder. Liz and I have so much in common!
    Kathryn (from You Are Here)

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  6. Rog - It has, darling, it has!

    Annie - 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?

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  7. I 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?

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  8. We don't have anyone who comes out with the malaprops-isms nearly as consistently here in the U.S....jealous.

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