How Queen Elizabeth II clashed with Prince Philip over the televising of her coronation

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip clashed over plans to televise her coronation, a royal insider has revealed.
While the black and white footage was grainy, the BBC 's live broadcast was an incredible feat which took months of preparation and attracted 27million viewers.
But if the Queen's original wish had been honoured, it would not have been televised.
This position was supported by the then-prime minister Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother but there remained one vocal supporter of opening up Westminster Abbey to the cameras - Prince Philip.
Philip and Elizabeth butted heads over the issue, according to royal author Andrew Morton.
He wrote: 'On this crucial matter she butted heads with her husband, who chaired the coronation committee.
'He wanted to let daylight in on the magic, believing that televising the ceremony would make the monarchy relevant to a new generation and herald a new, dynamic Elizabethan Age.'
But Philip was overruled and it was announced that the coronation would not be broadcast.
However, 'people power' convinced the Queen to U-turn.
Morton, in his book Elizabeth & Margaret, added: 'For once people power - with the eager support of of the television manufacturers - won the day.
'Ministers and MPs were overwhelmed with an avalanche of mail protesting against the decision to keep the cameras out of the abbey.'
Royal commentator Alexander Larman wrote in his book Power and Glory: 'So overwhelming and consistent was the outcry, ably communicated to their elected representatives, that in October 1952, it was stated that in view of the "serious public disappointment", the sacred event would need to be broadcast live.'
By then Elizabeth had a change of heart and said: 'All her subjects should have an opportunity of seeing [the coronation].'
Preparations took on a new life after this decision, with TV stations needing to be built across the country to ensure all could watch the historic occasion.
The Duke of Edinburgh kneels in front of the Queen. The BBC's live broadcast was an incredible feat which took months of preparation
Plans were even made to show the event in France for the Duke and Duchess of WIndsor's benefit, according to Hugo Vickers in his book Coronation: The Crowning of Elizabeth II.
Westminster Abbey also had to be kitted out with all the latest technology.
This included four cameras mounted across the ceiling and 26 microphones placed close to the throne.
John Snagge was given the role of commentating for BBC Home Service radio, while RIchard Dimbleby led the TV coverage.
According to Vickers, concerns about the logistics of the broadcast continued to be raised.
'Snagge was worried about what he would do if the Queen fainted under the heavy robes and hot lights or if a peer carrying the regalia should fall over,' he wrote.
In the end, the coronation went off without a hitch.
Churches installed their own TVs so congregations across the country could 'surround the Queen with their prayers'.
For royals fans across the pond, recordings of the coronation were flown in bombers to Canada and the United States.
The coronation brought to the throne a picture of youth, hope, innocence and beauty in one compelling mix.
Upwards of 45,000 troops from 50 countries lined the four-mile procession route, designed so three million spectators could witness the New Elizabethan age's dawn.
Some 8,000 guests crammed into Westminster Abbey, falling into silence as Elizabeth gave her Coronation Oath.
On The Mall, a million spectators cheered themselves hoarse when she stepped on to the Buckingham Palace balcony.
All this for one modest, 25-year-old woman.
Even today, despite King Charles's historic coronation two years ago, it remains a high point - a piece of magic which could never be replicated.
The renowned author Dame Rebecca West was overawed by the spectacle, describing Elizabeth as 'the emblem of the state, the symbol of our national life, the guardian of our self-respect'.
Writer Nancy Mitford put it more jauntily: 'How much NICER to have a young queen than that very dull old man!'
While the nation celebrated with thousands of street parties, in the ancient walls of Westminster Abbey an act of immense sobriety was taking place.
'She was consecrated,' said Canon John Andrew, the senior chaplain, 'and that makes her Queen. It is the most solemn thing that has ever happened in her life. She cannot abdicate. She is there until death.'
And many who witnessed the broadcast view the coronation as one of the most memorable days in their own lives.