Yes it’s another random story from my photographic life in Wales, this one by by popular request – The Princes and the Triffid.
(Note: For those of you who don’t know, a TRIFFID is a walking alien monster plant as featured in John Wyndham’s book “Day of the Triffids” which was also made into a movie).
As a regular photographer for the Welsh Craft Council, I used to take publicity photos at their various functions. One such event was Princess Diana’s visit to the Craft Council’s annual get together in Swansea city hall as she was the council’s Patron. I was the only photographer allowed inside and my brief was to photograph Craft Council members doing the usual handshake thing with the Princess. I was assigned a Royal Detective to accompany me to make sure I behaved myself and the event went well up to the point where the Princess and officials moved on to the location of the final speech.
As the party went ahead down the corridor, the detective pointed to a side archway and said if we cut through it, we’d get ahead of the party and be in a perfect position to catch the speech and grab a group photo at the top of the stairs before Princess Di left.
Great idea.
He squeezed through the archway and I followed – did I mention that there was a large potted palm tree in the archway? With spreading branches and that it was a very narrow archway? Oh and that I had two cameras with flashguns around my neck and a large camera bag? As I hurried after the detective, I got tangled up in the palm tree and the more I struggled to get by it, the more the palm tree began to sway and rock. I was virtually dragging the tree with me out of the archway and I suddenly came face to face with Princess Di who ducked to avoid the swinging fronds and burst out laughing along with the detective and the other dignitaries.
It must have looked hilarious – “photographer attacks Princess with potted palm tree!” She took a deep breath and in between fits of giggles announced, “My God, it’s a Triffid!”, then swept on by before I could even splutter out a plea for one last photo. Oh well, you win some etc.
By the time I emerged outside, the TV and waiting press had heard all about “The Triffid Photographer” and I made the news too.
