Memories of Philp

We were attending an Export Award at Buckingham Palace and met Prince Philip, who asked us where our main markets were. “The Middle East”, we replied.

Seeing our name was Cohen, he said: “Is that not difficult for you?” We replied that we had a differently named trading company for the Middle East.

With great excitement, he said: “That’s the way to get round the b ****** s!”

Laurence and Barbara Cohen

London NW4

Some years ago Prince Philip visited the Sternberg Centre. As PR person I showed Prince Philip the site, including our modest Multifaith Room. “We are very involved, Sir, in Christian-Jewish relationships”, I told him.

“Oh”, he replied with a grin, “how are you doing on Jewish-Jewish relationships?”

“Sir,” I replied, “you’ve clearly been very well briefed.”

Barry Hyman

Bushey Heath

In April 1955 Rabbi Dr A. E. Silverstone was presented to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to Southport. The Duke engaged the Rabbi in conversation for some minutes, in the course of which he asked how many Jews lived in the resort.

The Rabbi replied that there were about three thousand. At that, the Duke remarked: “You people always choose the nicest places to reside in.”

Michael Braham DL

Southport

When Queen Elizabeth and Philip visited Moscow in 1994, I was working there. I resolved to see them at close quarters. It was warm in Red Square, but I donned my Russian hat to catch their attention. The square was full of spectators, yet I was the only one in furry headgear.

As they emerged from the Kremlin, the Queen saw me, looked into my eyes, recognised the meshugene in me and prudently walked in the opposite direction.

But not Philip. He made a bee-line for me and asked if I spoke English. “I think so”, I replied. “I’m from Manchester.” He rolled around in laughter.

Andrew M Rosemarine

Manchester