Surely the B.B.C. could have made an effort.
Yours sincerely,
M.P.
London, SE1
Dear Sir,
So strong are my feelings on this subject that I had to write.
TV comic shows I like, but this week’s performance in ‘Death Us Do Part’ [sic] was disgusting.
We are one of the few countries left, with a reigning monoch [sic], of which I am proud and there must be thousands of others, if they were honest.
As was said in the script, we haven’t a great deal left out of the mighty country we once were, so please don’t degrade one of the remaining few things [that keeps us] above most of the others.
Laugh, if we must at Politicians etc. but not the Queen, ‘God Bless Her’ and it wouldn’t hurt if an apology was given by those concerned.
This is the first and last letter I shall write, hoping some one will do something about the Trash on some of these TV shows.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) A.N.K.
North Mundham, Chichester
22 February 1967
To The Controller, BBC TV
Dear Sir,
When switching on BBC TV for the Panorama programme on Monday 20th February 1967 I was unfortunately a little early and saw the last few minutes of Till Death Us Do Part. I was horrified and disgusted to see what appeared to be a bottle of ink thrown ‘accidentally’ at a picture of H.M. The Queen. This was followed by loud laughter and this appeared to be the climax and the end of the performance.
I am sure I am not alone in decrying what I suppose is the attitude of the B.B.C. TV to the British Royal Family by this deliberate attempt to make fun of an institution that has benefitted this country so very greatly and at one who is not able to reply and who moreover was ill in bed at the time.
Yours faithfully,
P.A.B.N.
THE ROYAL FAMILY, 1969
Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
23 June 1969
From: the Princess Dolgorouky
To: Barbara Saxon, Production Assistant Royal Family
Barbara, it was tremendous – Truly an achievement and absolutely compulsive viewing. As you know, I am no monarchist but it brought very vividly the job they do as P.R. for Britain – and what a lot of work – despatch boxes, handshakes, interviews which are damned hard work even if pure formality!
Personally, I did not find her [the Queen] a pleasing personality – not a person one would like to know. But the rest of the family were really natural – even the kids glancing up at the camera! And I think the picture of Charles as a human is good.
What I want to know is how many feet of film were shot and scrapped – but it really is a triumph
BBC2 has at last reached Cornwall – now to see if we can get it – some places apparently are hopeless. Keep your fingers crossed.
Much love and we are expecting you soon.
Amersham, Bucks
22 June 1969
Dear Mr. Cawston,
You must have had a surfeit of congratulations, but I must say ‘Thank You’ for the most fascinating film I have ever had the privilege of seeing. There is only one adjective I can think of applying to it – fabulous.
Apart from anything else, I have seen the Queen in an entirely new light – and for all that I am most grateful.
Yours sincerely,
C. M.
Evening Standard, 47 Shoe Lane, London EC4
19 June 1969
To: Richard Cawston Esq., Television Centre, Wood Lane W12
Dear Mr. Cawston,
I felt I really had to write and add a personal P.S. to what I have just finished writing for this afternoon’s edition – to express my enjoyment and admiration of the Royal Family film we saw at the press screening. It is a tremendous feat to have brought off – I am sure the image of royalty will be changed more radically in 105 minutes than it has been in 105 years when it goes out on Saturday.
I am particularly happy to hear that the remainder of your material is going into the National Film Archive. Its presence there should give an excellent fillip to the appeal for funds which I know it’s hoped to launch later on this year. I hope I live long enough to see it, too!
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Walker
Yorkshire Television, The Television Centre, Leeds
To: Richard Cawston
… and you needn’t think (whatever the Mirror says) that just because She’ll agree to be pushed around, that you’ll get the same kind of co-operation from me … After all, we do have a certain position to preserve.
Alan [Whicker]
PS: Many congratulations
National Viewers’ and Listeners’ Association
30 June 1969
To: Richard Cawston, Producer ‘The Royal Family’ BBC London
Dear Mr. Cawston,
May I add the warm congratulations of this Association to the many expressions of appreciation which you have doubtless received about your programme ‘The Royal Family’?
It was a wonderful film in every way and we are most grateful for it.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Whitehouse (Mrs.)
Copy to The Press Secretary, Buckingham Palace
Longsight, Manchester
22 June 1969
Dear Sir,
May I express my thanks and delight for a wonderful showing of ‘Royal Family’? I watched every second of it in admiration and thankfulness for having such a Royal Family.
Being a patriotic subject, I have seen as many of the Royal Family as possible on my visits to London and when they have honoured our City with their visits.
Your film, shown last night, made one feel we were in their home with them and enjoying their holidays too!
Our Queen thrilled me with her happy laughter. Prince Phillip [sic] and the children too made one feel it was just a normal happy family.
I could go on and on with praise for your showing of such a film.
Please, please, let us have more of these intimate films of our Royalty and Bless them for allowing it to be made.
Thank you a million times for this wonderful documentary film and allowing me the proudest and happiest one hour forty eight minutes of viewing for a long time.
I am,
Yours Truly,
E.W. (Mrs.)
Preston, Lancs.
27 June 1969
To: Mr. Paul Fox, Controller BBC1, Television Centre, London W12
Dear Sir,
Though late, my family and self would like to thank you, Mr. Richard Cawston and all staff concerned with the production, ‘The Royal Family’. Marvellous. My son aged almost twenty three years exclaimed, ‘Why I wouldn’t have the Queen’s job for a fortune. She works too hard and with hardly any personal freedom’.
Our Queen and Prince Philip with the Queen Mother as a Royal Family are a credit to Democracy in our own country and surely must impress other nations too. Their stability, sense of duty, impeccable manners, kindness with humour must make an impact too on the weaker members of the younger generation who experiment with drugs, sex and vandalism. These foolish young folk are really growing backwards to the animal state.
Our future King Charles proved in the interview with Cliff Michelmore he possesses both his Mother and Father’s sense of duty, good manners and lively sense of humour. Thanks again, B.B.C.1.
Some time, please could you show a profile of Greta Garbo and a cycle of her films. Paul Robeson, Richard Tauber and of course Mantovani were also favourites of mine. May I add ‘Blue Peter’ improves all the time – lovely stories for children and adults too. Johnny Morris is great too. Also Ton Ton.
Many thanks,
Yours sincerely
H.M.A. (Mrs.)
Wonderburg II, Orteliusstraat 162, Amsterdam
28 September 1969
To: ITV and BBC, Mr Richard Cawston, London England
Dear Mr. Richard,
You and your team of workers my husband
and I want to thank very very much for the most wonderful and touching picture may be you ever made!?
We were both very happy now to watch the real (as you know an expression of the Queen of England face help us the most!!!) And also her family life!! God bless you for all this, also your team of workers!!
Kindly regarding you and all of them.
Your most sincerely,
‘FAN’
M. B.
22 September 1969
Dear Sir,
I just viewed your film ‘Royal Family’, it was a great film and good idea. I happen to be a FAN of the Queen. I was fortunate to see her while I was in Germany in 1965, while she was on tour there. And in London I saw the Rank film, ‘The Queen Sees Germany’ in color.
And in a 1953 issue of the ‘DAILY SKETCH’ 1 June 1953, I noticed the color film ‘A QUEEN IS CROWNED’. These films would be nice to see on T.V. here in the U.S. I plan to ask CBS about these possibilities?
If in the future you could keep me posted on any such films to be viewed in the U.S. I’ll appreciate it very much.
Keep up the good work –
Thank You
M. C.
Staff Sergeant
U.S. Army
Tennessee, USA 37212
1 October 1969
Gentlemen: I was very thrilled to see your program titled ‘The Royal Family’. It was the most interesting program I’ve ever seen. This program was on television on September 21st 1969 on Sunday evening.
Would you have some pictures you could send to me of this program? I’ve been studying the Royal Family for a long time, and it’s a very interesting study. Also, to look at all the pictures of the queen during her childhood, and to look at her as she is today with a fine family and such a very big job to do.
I’m very pleased that this program was in color, so all the uniforms and her dresses showed up on television, and all the dinners she has to attend all the time. I saw Her Majesty for my very first time, when the Queen and Prince Philip paid an official state visit as guests of Gen. and Mrs. Eisenhower in Washington (when Eisenhower was President Eisenhower.) I was very thrilled to see her [when] she visited the Eisenhowers on October 17 1957.
Thought you would be interested in this. If your office can send me some pictures of the program I would be delighted.
Is Her Majesty very nice about having your television crew filming the program, about her and her duties as Queen of England?
Thank You.
B. D.
London N8
3 August 1969
Dear Sir,
Due to my business I am unable to get out a great deal and rely on television for much of my entertainment.
I would like you to accept my sincere thanks for your ‘Royal Family’ film. This is one of the most enthralling and fascinating television films ever shown and was well worth the long hours and hard work that must have gone into the making of it. Films of this sort, which appear to be so few and far between, make a refreshing contrast to the violence that seems to be the dominating factor in so many programmes at the moment. I certainly look forward to seeing ‘Royal Family’ again when it is shown on BBC2 in colour.
Would you now please be kind enough to autograph the enclosed picture for my television scrapbook.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
H.T.
Newsagent, Tobacconist & Confectioner
London E17
13 August 1969
Dear Sir,
I wonder if you could clarify an argument for me. Some time ago you showed the famous ‘Royal Family’ programme. One sequence in this film showed the officers of the Royal Yacht Britannia who I understand are all Royal Naval Personnel toasting the health of the Queen. For this toast they stood, and yet as explained in your recent television documentary on the ‘Captain of H.M.S. Bulwark’, officers serving in the Royal Navy always sit for the toast because of an ancient tradition. Therefore could you please explain why the officers on the Royal Yacht stood for the toast.
Is there any specific reason or was it just for show for this one specific programme?
Please find enclosed a stamped addressed envelope. Hoping this does not inconvenience you.
Thanking you for a hopeful reply,
Yours faithfully,
J.C. (Miss)
Belfast
6 September 1969
Dear Sir,
Some time ago I wrote to the BBC Belfast expressing my appreciation of the film ‘The Royal Family at Home’ in Buckingham Palace. I expressed my appreciation of this film as a whole. I wish we had more on the same lines.
I did however query two points and the Belfast office said they would forward my letter (I am unable to remember the date) to the London office. I am rather disappointed that you have not seen fit to reply.
I would like to repeat my query. The diplomats, after they presented their credentials, turned their backs on the Queen and left the room. I was under the impression that when taking leave of Her Majesty, one retreated backwards making short bows as they went until they had [left] the room.
The other point is:- on board the Royal Yacht ‘Britannia’ the officers when toasting the Queen stood up to do so. I was [under the] impression that they remained seated.
This was a custom started by a King who, when he was Prince of Wales, bumped his head on a low beam when he stood up in response to a toast. He said this would cease when he was King, he kept his word and the custom of R.N. officers remaining seated has continued to this day. May I hope for your observations on this please.
Yours sincerely,
G.R.B.
THE ROYAL WEDDING, 1981
Stockton on Tees
2 August 1981
To: The Controller of Outside Broadcasts TV
Dear Sir,
The filming of last Wednesday’s Royal Wedding was a delight – especially the service in St. Pauls.
However, many of my friends have commented as I have done too that we wished you could have filmed a little more of the Foreign Royal visitors and VIPs arriving in St. Pauls instead of going back time and again to the carriage driving down Fleet St. etc. You know the ladies really do enjoy seeing the fabulous fashions worn by these VIPs and our own Royal family. You hardly gave any coverage to this side of it – let’s face it I am sure the majority of your morning audience was the ladies of the land!
Today, when the Sunday supplements came out I saw for the first time the superb flowers in front of St. Pauls – perhaps I missed these on TV or did you not show them? – if so what a great shame. So many of us get a great thrill from seeing the hours of work put into arranging wonderful floral displays.
Perhaps it seems wrong to write to you when Wednesday was such a wonderful TV spectacular but maybe you can bear my comments in mind for any future Royal wedding or occasion.
Yours sincerely,
J.M.D. (Mrs.)
P.S. I am not too keen on Angela Rippon’s interviews – Sue Lawley would be my choice.
London N3
1 August 1981
To: The Head of Outside Broadcasting, B.B.C. Television
Dear Sir,
Now that you have had everyone patting you on the head for your Royal Wedding production may I as a person who likes to see all the pageantry simply ask!
What happened to the rest of the Queen’s carriage procession to and from Buckingham Palace and St. Pauls? Going we saw the Queen’s landau, a glimpse of the Queen Mother’s but nothing at all of the 6 landaus which followed with their escorts.
Indeed your broadcast gave the impression that the Queen’s procession consisted only of 2 landaus.
On the return we saw the bride and groom and the Queen with Earl Spencer. Nothing of the remaining landaus. Not even a sight of the Duke of Edinburgh with the bride’s mother until they finally arrived at the Palace.
I await with interest your comments.
Yours Faithfully,
C. L.
Po
rtsmouth, Hants.
30 July 1981
Dear Sir,
For years I have considered that the BBC were unrivalled in Outside Broadcasts etc.
I watched the covering of the Wedding on BBC and, to say the least, after weeks of promising the best pictures you made a complete hash of the whole thing.
Why did we not see the other members of the Royal Family in the procession?
The Pages were not seen until the balcony appearance.
The curtsey to the Queen by the Prince and Princess of Wales was almost missed.
We should have seen Personalities who were not picked out as they should have been. Even the Ring you almost missed.
Shots of Bells may be OK for New Years Eve but surely you had plenty to show. Whoever selected the Pictures to be shown should be banished to ITV for ever! I watched the highlights on ITV and all the points mentioned were covered by ITV. I think they won hands down.
The BBC is far too smug and they certainly did not get the best pictures yesterday. I will still watch BBC but please stop trying to be the eighth wonder of the world and concentrate on showing pictures of what the people wish to see.
Sincerely,
E.L.
Bristol
31 July 1981
To: The Director of Outside Broadcasting, BBC, London
Dear Sir,
We always switch on to BBC when there is an important event, as the wedding last Wednesday, and value the excellence of the production, but you seem to have camera men who were unsure of what they were doing especially in St. Paul’s Cathedral. We never saw the members of the Royal family arrive or go to their seats, we were not told the names of the VIPs from overseas. We saw the bride come down and begin a curtsy to the Queen on her way out of the Cathedral and then for some reason known only to the controller we were once again switched to see the dome of St. Paul’s. If he did it once he did it 20 times and became a laughing matter to those watching.
Because we were so very disappointed in your coverage of the event we switched to ITV in the evening and it was truly magnificent, we saw the full coverage of all we had hoped to see at the time. Tom Fleming was not as good as usual and did not tell us half as much as the ITV man did. I am sure I shall get your usual post card saying you received this letter and then silence. I do so understand it was a mighty day for you all and exhaustive rehearsals, perhaps too many, but you had been given much time to do it well and for the first time ever for a most important occasion you failed a bit.
I'm Sure I Speak For Many Others... Page 4
