Prince Phillip: First To Test Ofcom’s New Harm and Offence Codes?

Reports indicate that Prince Phillip is to direct and produce that annual blockbuster - The Queen’s Speech.

Apparently Prince Phillip has been disappointed by the ’soft’ approach of recent broadcasts and sees an opportunity this year to preach his own brand of “Muscular Christianity”. This is - “[an] early 19th-century creed of cold baths and manly sports promoted by Dr Thomas Arnold, headmaster of Rugby school.” Sounds a laugh, right? A bang up to date approach. You can’t fault that type of thinking. It’s what we all need at Christmas!

According to the Sunday Times, a palace source said, “The duke believes the nation should listen to a stern Christian lecture. He isn’t very interested in addressing the beliefs of Hindus, Muslims or Jews.” Another fantastic example of diverse and multicultural thinking. Expect complaints.

In addition, perhaps fortunately, he is said to care little for ratings and therefore feels that the Christmas Speech should be a chance to tell folks what’s best for them. In the new multi-channel, multi-choice, audience fickle digital world this is called, ‘preaching to the converted’.

The duke has had enough of the BBC and ITV efforts which apparently leave him underwhelmed as they lack the proper religious rigour and zeal. In response a spokesman for the broadcasters admitted, “There is only a certain amount of trickery possible for filming an elderly lady giving a speech.”

But supporters of Prince Phillip’s broadcast takeover comment that he is a perfect choice because, “he has a way with a crisp phrase.” Just like this cracker he once served up: “When a man opens the car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.” Is this PSB or just a waste of time and money?