EXCLUSIVEA tetchy Prince Charles, Lord Snowdon's Aston Martin and a very special chair! What historian BRIAN HOEY (a BBC reporter on the day) remembers of the King's investiture 55 years ago
A little more than fifty-five years ago, on July 1, 1969, Prince Charles knelt before his mother as the world watched.
At his investiture at Caernarvon Castle, the birthplace of the first English Prince of Wales, the future King was formally presented with the same title by Queen Elizabeth II.
As a 35-year-old BBC journalist tasked with reporting on the spectacle, I interviewed Charles shortly before the ceremony – but he wasn't too happy.
He was reluctant to give access and he was obviously uncomfortable with me shoving a microphone in his face.
As we began, he turned to his secretary and asked: 'Do we have to do this. I didn't realise there would be questions.'
But once we started he was excellent, knowing a great deal about Wales and what he would be expected to achieve.
I asked him what was the worst thing about the investiture. He replied: 'People like you.'
After the ceremony was over we were all offered the chance to buy the seats we had occupied.
Ours (not the very special VIP ones) were made of red pine and painted scarlet, with the Prince of Wales' feathers engraved on the back.
I bought mine for £12 (around £170 now!). I still have it and, in fact, I am writing this article sitting on it.
A little more than fifty-five years ago, on July 1, 1969, Prince Charles knelt before his mother as the world watched, writes BRIAN HOEY At his investiture at Caernarvon Castle, the birthplace of the first English Prince of Wales, the future King was formally presented with the same title by Queen Elizabeth II
As a 35-year-old BBC journalist tasked with reporting on the spectacle, I interviewed Charles shortly before the ceremony – but he wasn't too happy. Above: Brian Hoey interviews Prince Charles
I had already met Charles when he arrived at Aberystwyth University some weeks earlier so he could be taught the basics of the Welsh language by firebrand nationalist professor Tedi Millward.
He proved to be a more than able student when he gave a speech at the end of term, entirely in the Welsh language.
Even then there were factions of extremists (some of whom planted bombs) who protested about his Investiture and even the place he was taking in Welsh culture.
The biggest television star of that period was Cliff Michelmore and he not only gave the commentary of the ceremony but interviewed Charles as well.
ITV also had a big name in actor Richard Burton, who provided the Welsh touch for an audience that was estimated at around 500 million worldwide.
I enjoyed not only the day of the Investiture itself but the entire week leading up to it.
The BBC sent me and a camera team to record the views of the people who had been crowding into Caernarvon in the lead-up in the hope they might spot any famous faces.
After the ceremony was over we were all offered the chance to buy the seats we had occupied. I bought mine for £12 (around £170 now!). I still have it and, in fact, I am writing this article sitting on it
I was very lucky because the man organising the whole operation of the investiture was Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's photographer husband. I had been friends with him for many years. Above: Lord Snowdon driving his Aston Martin DB5 outside Caernarvon Castle ahead of the investiture
Prince Charles kisses his mother during his investiture, as his father Prince Philip watches on
The Queen and Prince Charles present themselves to crowds at Queen Eleanor's Gate at Caenarfon Castle
There were plenty around, all intent on seeing one of the most dramatic and spectacular events of Welsh pageantry.
I was very lucky because the man organising the whole operation of the investiture was Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's photographer husband.
I had been friends with him for many years, since he was just plain Anthony (Tony) Armstrong Jones, long before he married into the Royal Family.
Tony, as I called him, showed me everything. The seating plan, the throne where Prince Charles would sit (he even let me sit on it) and the specially-made coronet with which he was going to be invested (but he refused to allow me to try it on, saying that would be sacrilege).
The Daily Mail's report on the ceremony
Two days before the ceremony, Tony told me he had a special treat for me.
He invited me to have lunch with him at the Royal Hotel around the corner from the castle and said we would drive – even though it was only a few yards walk.
When we came out he pointed to a magnificent sports car: an Aston Martin DB5 convertible just like the one James Bond drove in the movies.
He then said it actually was the original vehicle used by Sean Connery in the movie. He drove and I sat in the passenger seat.
He said: 'Just give a Royal wave to all the people waving to us' – and there were hundreds – 'they'll think you are someone important.'
He even showed how to do the Royal wave: raise one arm but not with the palm pointing out and do not wave it about just hold it still.
Somehow, I never quite got used to doing it. On the way back he allowed me to drive it. That's my claim to fame!
Throughout the week leading up to the ceremony, we were joined every day by someone who turned out to be very important indeed.
His name was Colonel Sir John Miller and as the Queen's Crown Equerry was responsible for all things military.
He had come to Caernarvon to make sure nothing went wrong on the day. There were hundreds of troops to be drilled and Sir John even had some of them throw buckets of water on the road in front of the castle gates.
He said it was in case it rained and the horses would slip. Lord Snowdon told me that that was an example of typical royal attention to detail.
When the actual day arrived, Tony Snowdon proved to the Royal Family and to the world that he was the best choice to organise such an extravagant event.
He was the total professional, without, in any way being pompous or overbearing.
I have to admit that he allocated my camera team and myself excellent positions from which to film the action, much to the annoyance of one or two other 'important' personalities, particularly those from overseas.
King Charles holds his mother's hand in hers as his father Prince Philip stands just behind them
Prince Charles, wearing the gold coronet of the Prince of Wales, looks on at his investiture
Prince Charles poses in his investiture regalia. He was given an amethyst ring (on a band of Welsh gold mined in Gwynedd) to wed him to Wales, a sword representing justice, a gold rod to mark his earthly rule and a mantle of velvet and ermine
There was one other moment I'll never forget. A line-up of civic dignitaries and Welsh aristocracy was being presented to The Queen and Snowdon quietly gestured to me to stand on the end.
Security was rather different in those days. So, I stood alongside the others and Tony Snowdon made all the presentations. One is 'presented' to Royalty, not 'introduced'.
I had been warned previously before meeting Prince Charles that a short neck-bow is sufficient, never bow from the waist, 'that's only for head waiters.'
So my days with some of the most famous and important people in the country were over and at the end, my cameraman said to me, 'It's not a bad life, is it. And we're being paid.'
