Just doing my job
Part 3 - The Equerry
Prince Charles gets a bad press sometimes and, quite honestly, I don't know why. I've been his personal assistant, his equerry, for almost two years now and can honestly say he's a pleasure to work for; a really nice guy. He's got a great sense of humour, but what's important is he really cares; about the country, the environment and about people.
Take the investiture this morning. Over an hour he stood there, talking to one person after another, fifty four in all, and every person, without fail, felt he was interested in them. And the thing is, he genuinely was interested in them. He told me some advice his mother had given him just before he performed his first investiture, "Never forget that for most of the recipients at an investiture, this is the most important day of their lives. Each one, from the first to the last, deserves one's complete undivided attention."
I stand beside him at investitures, whispering notes on the next recipient in his ear (seriously, that's what I do) and so I see at first hand the effort he puts into it. Of course, some people are easier to talk to than others and if I hear him ask the question "Are your family with you today?" I know that the conversation is flagging a bit. At the other end of the spectrum, some people are so interesting and easy to talk to that I have to subtly remind him to draw the conversation to a close after the usual minute or so. Clearing my throat usually does the trick. Sometimes I resort to a cough.
Take this morning. Towards the end of the ceremony we had a Private Molly Dawes of the RAMC getting the Military Cross. I'd noticed her when I was skimming the list of recipients the evening before. Her citation really stood out. I knew that this would be a much longer and complex briefing than usual. When the time came, I whispered into his ear:
"Private Dawes, Medic, Afghanistan.
Volunteered to cross minefield without mine detector to treat soldier shot in groin by sniper,
Blown into the air, unconscious,
Came round, treated him despite danger of being shot herself.
Winched up with soldier , obvious target for sniper. Saved his life"
Unusually, he looked round at me, and gave me a look which can only be described as one of amazement.
The Lord Chamberlain made the announcement in his usual booming voice,
"Private Molly Dawes of the Royal Army Medical Corps. The Military Cross for bravery during combat operations"
A young girl in an immaculate Army dress uniform now marched from the mark on the floor next to the Usher, past the Lord Chamberlain at his lectern, turned and stepped forward two paces before saluting HRH. She was a very good looking girl, stunning in fact, with striking grey green eyes but surprisingly petite, not that size is related to courage of course. I held up the blue cushion on which was laid the Military Cross. It really is one the most beautiful of all military medals. The boss picked it up off the cushion and slid it over the temporary hook pinned to her tunic. She saluted again and then they shook hands.
Prince Charles spoke, "I must say I'm in total awe of you. You should be very proud of yourself. What induced you to volunteer to go into a minefield – and without a mine detector?"
"Didn't 'ave no choice Sir. Somebody 'ad to get to 'im and it was either me or the ANA medic. And 'e didn't seem too keen."
HRH smiled, "Not surprised. You know, your citation reads like something out of a Marvel superhero comic. You don't have superpowers by any chance do you?"
"Me only superpower is 'olding me breath for a very long time when sorting out blisters on soldiers' stinky feet."
They both laughed.
"Anyway," said the Prince, "tell me about Afghanistan, the people, the state of things there. How do they feel about our withdrawal? Harry used to be out there often but, because of security, he was rarely able to mix with the Afghan people."
They then had a lengthy conversation, with Private Dawes giving the future king the benefit of her experiences and her interactions with the Afghan people. How she had grown to respect and even love some of them and why she was so worried about their future. She told him about the beauty of the country and explained, with real passion, her theory of influencing communities for the better.
"You've gotta fix the little things so that the bigger things fix themselves" she said, conscious that somebody had once said the same thing to her. The Prince nodded thoughtfully. He was obviously quite captivated by the wisdom and enthusiasm of this twenty-year-old, streetwise philosopher and was clearly enjoying their discussion. But almost four minutes had passed.
By now, the Lord Chamberlain had turned round trying to attract my attention. He made a gesture with his watch. I got the message. But clearing my throat and coughing had no effect; they were too engrossed in conversation. So I had to resort to whispering "Time Sir" in the boss's ear.
He started to wind things down. "It's been fascinating talking to you. You know, when you leave the Army, you should think about applying to become a Blue Peter presenter. You've got all the necessary attributes. Can't think of anybody who'd be better at the job."
"I'll bear that in mind Sir. Thank you Sir."
They both smiled.
He shook her hand again indicating the end of the conversation.
But while he was shaking her hand, he said something I have never, ever, heard him say to a recipient at an investiture before. He said, "Thank you, it has been a privilege meeting you".
She looked really surprised, even shocked. "Ditto Sir" was all she could say.
She saluted, took two steps backward, turned to the right and marched off.
As she was marching away, I whispered the brief for the next recipient into the boss's ear, but I knew that he'd find talking to anybody after Private Molly Dawes a bit of an anticlimax. I was sure he wouldn't let it show though!