PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON MEETING HRH PRINCE PHILIP

Together with the rest of the country, and the world, it was with great sadness to hear the news of the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

As Secretary of the Guinea Pig Club, and having his Royal Highness as our President, I  had the pleasure of meeting him on various occasions either during the club’s annual reunions dinners or at  other club events, and in 1995 as then being  the Curator of the Queen Victoria Museum, it was my honour to show, and explain  many of the artefacts within the collection to him during his private visit to the hospital’s Burns Unit.

Two other occasions I remember well are 2007, when as secretary, having the duty to help arrange the club’s last official dinner at the Felbridge Hotel, to which he was the guest of honour, and 2016 during the unveiling of the Guinea Pig Club’s Memorial Stone at the National Memorial Arboretum  having to introduce the VIP’s after taking tea in his company.

Whilst within the company of the Guinea Pigs, HRH always appeared very relaxed and sociable , taking great interest when talking to  as many of the members possible during his time spent with them.

A well respected President for over 59yrs, who will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege knowing and meeting him over those years myself included

RIP Your Highness

R Marchant FCODP

Secretary G Pig Club