Clydesdale pays tribute to HRH

Retired Carluke photographer Rodger Price is among those who paid tribute to HRH Prince Philip this week.
By Julie Currie
Published 16th Apr 2021, 14:30 BST
A natural shot of the Duke of Edinburgh talking to council house tenants in Rutherglen in October 1976. Rodger still bears the scars after getting in a bit too close!A natural shot of the Duke of Edinburgh talking to council house tenants in Rutherglen in October 1976. Rodger still bears the scars after getting in a bit too close!
A natural shot of the Duke of Edinburgh talking to council house tenants in Rutherglen in October 1976. Rodger still bears the scars after getting in a bit too close!

Rodger described him as a man of the people as he shared photos on Facebook, among them one his Granny Price took as The Queen and Prince Philip passed through Waterloo on their first Scottish tour in 1956.

He also shared two images he’d taken in 1976 when the Duke of Edinburgh visited the people of Rutherglen to see the modernisation of their council houses.

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And our old friend and colleague shared one with us from the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games sailing events, held at Strathclyde Country Park in 1986 – which featured on our front page this week.

A man of the people, Rodger recalled how the Duke was able to speak to anyone.A man of the people, Rodger recalled how the Duke was able to speak to anyone.
A man of the people, Rodger recalled how the Duke was able to speak to anyone.

Rodger, a staunch Royalist, is currently president of Carluke Rotary Club, the first Rotary Club in the UK to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2013.

While sad to learn of the Duke’s passing, it also led Rodger to reflect on the occasions he was asked to cover HRH’s local visits – and rake through his treasured scrapbooks for photos.

The 83-year-old said: "He could talk to anyone – that picture of him laughing with folk in Rutherglen is a prime example. He truly was a man of the people.

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"I never got the chance to speak to him but I do have a permanent reminder – scratches on my neck from Special Branch grabbing me by the collar and dragging me back anytime I got too close!”

A warm wave from the Duke of Edinburgh at Commonwealth Games sailing events in Strathclyde Country Park in 1986.A warm wave from the Duke of Edinburgh at Commonwealth Games sailing events in Strathclyde Country Park in 1986.
A warm wave from the Duke of Edinburgh at Commonwealth Games sailing events in Strathclyde Country Park in 1986.

Lady Susan Haughey, the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, also paid tribute to the Duke this week.

She said: “As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the life of the longest serving royal consort in British history.

"Prince Philip's commitment to public service has been exceptional."

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Clydesdale MP David Mundell also expressed his sadness at the passing of “a remarkable man”.

He added: "Prince Philip was a huge supporter of rural life and a regular visitor to my constituency, both accompanying The Queen and at events at Drumlanrig Castle when pursuing his passion for horse-carriage driving.

"His sometimes mischievous personality, although occasionally controversial, also endeared him to many."

The funeral will be held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday at 3pm.

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