| ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION DINNER Prince Philip speaks at dinner to celebrate Lord Ismay and US Ambassador Whitney. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tape Master: | 8621 | |
| Catalog #: | 140113 | |
| Clip Number: | 140113-3 | |
| Orginal Film: | UN 2973 B | |
| Timecode: | 01:53:22 - 01:56:31 | |
| Location: | London | |
| Year Shot: | 1957 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Misc. LOCATIONS/EUROPE: UK, England, London ROYALTY: British, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | |
| Description: | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh giving speech. "Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know this evening the English speaking Union is entertaining the American Ambassador and Lord and Lady Ismay. And between them they represent so much, which is important to us in these islands that their names have been coupled to a toast to the Atlantic Community, although I suppose strictly speaking it ought to be the North Atlantic Community. Now I’m afraid I must confess that I’m in a bit of a muddle this evening, because here am I, President of the English Speaking Union of the Commonwealth, and I find myself here in London, proposing a toast to an American and to an Ex-NATO Englishmen and the Atlantic Community. Now the problem is what to I say to which, about what and on behalf of whom? (Laughter) Now one of the strange things about this situation of these islands is that we’re surrounded by Europeans. On the one side they speak English and on the other they speak a selection of European languages. Now it seems natural enough that people who speak a different language should have different thoughts, but it is not so easy to allow to the fact that people who speak English could possibly have - how can I put it, un-British thoughts. Someone, I haven’t discovered who, once said that the British Isles and America are divided by the same language. It may be true, but whether we like it or not, we are in fact joined by the Atlantic. Three hundred and fifty years ago… The only thing, in fact that has prevented us on this side from using this great highway to our hearts content has been the difficulty of getting the necessary dollars. But I gather this evening that the chancellor’s heart has been touched and anyone who’s got a hundred pounds can now get to America. (Applause and laughter) Now it is very right and proper that the remarkable achievements of those early pioneers should be celebrated. And we in this country have been reading about the events in Jamestown with great interest. And I’m also delighted to hear that a group of supporters of the English Speaking Union in this country have collected enough money to put up a statue to the inspiring genius of the main driving force behind those expeditions, Sir Walter Raleigh. And I also understand that the Minister of Works has agreed to find a suitable site for it." | |
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