much of the spirit fuel . I still remember the Duke ’ s indulgent smile . To compound my chagrin , the exact moment was captured by a Sevenoaks Chronicle photographer and has gone down in family legend as the day that my flame went out .’
By 4.15pm Prince Philip was on a podium on Jockey ’ s Platch , where he informed the assembled crowd that he ’ d never paid attention to visiting speakers when at school , thought that the technical activities at Sevenoaks were impressive since the British educational system needed ‘ jacking up ’, and that the newly formed Voluntary Service Unit was a fine example of the ‘ forward-thinking policies ’ at Sevenoaks .
After planting a mountain ash tree on the Platch , taking tea with the Headmaster , and requesting an extra day ’ s holiday (‘ whilst having to weigh up what the boys want against what parents can tolerate ’), the Duke left at 5pm .
Sally Robbins , Archivist
From The Sennockian , 1966
At around 4 . 15pm , everybody congregated in the laboratory courtyard to listen to the Duke ’ s address under a mass of coloured umbrellas . In the period of waiting , entertainment was unintentionally afforded by the elevation skywards , in a sudden gust of wind , of the protective plastic cover on the microphone . After a moment of suspense , the fugitive was expertly rescued by a member of the staff .
The rain stopped just before the Duke appeared to give his speech . Lord Sackville stepped first on to the platform to give the Duke a formal introduction . The Duke established the informality of his address by starting on a note of humour . ‘ I was partly hoping ,’ he said , ‘ it would be raining so hard …’
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