Observations on media’s response to Prince Philip’s death

From: Christine McDade, Morton on Swale.

HOW very sad to hear of the death of Prince Philip who was, for so many years, a constant in our lives.

No matter his age it is a very hard time for the Queen and all the family. Many years ago I used to visit Smith’s Lawn in Windsor Park to watch him play polo.

During the intervals between the chukkas, the public were asked to walk over the ground to dig back the divots caused by the players. Whilst doing this Prince Philip appeared, riding at speed, towards us and using some ripe expression to encourage us to get out of his way (we did)!

Whilst he was in hospital it was natural for the press to report on his progress, and for that I thank them. However, when he left, hidden behind barriers at the hospital, it was a great disservice by the photographers rushing to go to print with photographs of a very, very ill man being driven away.

From: Ian Richardson, Beverley.

I WILL put my cards on the table,

I am no royalist. I can accept, however, that Prince Philip played an important role in British life for decades and, that for millions of people, his death deserves to be mourned and also marked by all the mainstream media, notably the BBC.

That said, the ridiculous amount of coverage of his death, especially by the BBC, verges on the grotesque. On Friday afternoon, I listened to a BBC news bulletin that lasted eight minutes and contained no other news item.

This is a huge misjudgment by the media, a worrying orgy of pseudo-grief that does nobody any good. If these are the values of modern Britain, I and many others, must say – not in my name.

From: David Quarrie, York.

ON the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Sir John Major’s hope for the Queen to be given time and space to grieve, was especially poignant.

It was so good to hear people talk with heartfelt sincerity. I so thoroughly enjoyed this moving programme.

From: Peter Rickaby, West Park, Selby.

WHAT a shame virtues possessed of the late Prince Philip – honesty, integrity, loyalty, commitment to duty, an unselfish personality – are attributes not to be seen on CVs applicable to today’s political leaders. They being happy to live by a combination of double speak and double standards, having a conscience considered a dated concept.