Dean reflects on Royal visit

Not only did Prince Michael of Kent take a keen interest in the Cathedral’s history, he also took an active interest in the museum and in the young people of the choir and particularly the Dean’s son, Nicky, speaking to him at length about his interest in music.

“It was very much as I expected,” said the Dean, Very Rev Dr William Morton.

“It was magnificent; an unforgettable day for the cathedral and a most memorable service. We had been asked about this by members of the Royal Naval Association I would say about two months before the event,” he said going on to detail the intricate series of visits and negotiations that took place in the lead up to the service, including a visit by the Equerry to the Prime Minister.

“We also had representatives of the Royal Naval Association here and also a visit from the head of the Navy, Commander John Gray.

“We had a couple of meetings here and explained the logistics in terms of security and arrival times, the route and timings, and then of course there was the detail of the service and if you think of the number of people involved it was quite colossal. This was the first Royal visit since the marriage of Lady Moira Campbell,” the Dean said.

The Cathedral had hoped to use the same pen for Prince Michael to sign the visitors book as the one used by other Royal visitors, but in the end up settled for showing him the exhibits and photos they had from previous visits.

“We are going to provide Prince Michael with a scanned copy of an image of his mother when she was here and he was delighted about that, thrilled,” said Dean Morton, who had met the Prince the day before at the unveiling and dedication of the international sailors statue at Ebrington Square.

Recalling the visit by the Prince to the Deanery on Sunday, Dean Morton continued: “He arrived at the Deanery at 10.15am on the dot. Sir Donal Keegan, HML for the City of Londonderry greeted the Prince when he alighted from the official vehicle outside and my wife, Rosemary and I received the prince at the door. A number of other people were introduced to Prince Michael, including members of my family, Naval personnel and Deputy Mayor, Mary Hamilton. I think about 20 people were introduced to Prince Michael at the house and at 10.45am I left to be robed for the service.

“While at the Deanery the Prince commented on Rosemary’s collection of dolls outside and inside the drawing room,” the Dean said.

Referring to the Royal visit at the Cathedral which followed, the Dean said: “After the service Prince Michael indicated that he appreciated greatly the hymns that were chosen which were arranged for the occasion in their traditional arrangements and the Prince spent a good five minutes talking to my son, Nicky about music. Nicky plays the organ and Prince Michael’s son, Lord Freddie Windsor plays the piano. I introduced Nicky to the Prince and he had a great chat with Nicky about his son and asked Nicky about studying for his A levels. Nicky was thrilled. The only disappointment was that our son Patrick was not able to be there as he could not make it home in time,” said the Dean.

He continued: “At the end of the service I walked out with the Prince and he really was very pleasant and appreciative. I found him to be a down-to-earth gentleman. Coming down the aisle he said ‘You must be absolutely delighted with the service, It went extremely well’, and he complimented us on how it had moved from one segment to the next so seamlessly. He also complimented us on our ‘fantastic organ’ and said ‘what a brilliant choir.’ Those were his final words to me before he left. The service proceeded really well and I must pay huge thanks to Ian Mills and the Men and Boys of the Choir, to Canon John and to the Cathedral staff, Canon John Mayes was the preacher.”

After the service and before the prince took his leave, Dean Morton took the Royal visitor back into the Cathedral by the Chapter House door, where the choir had not quite finished derobing. Unfazed by the organised chaos, the Prince took time to speak to everyone, and the Dean introduced all the choir members to the guest of honour.

“Then he came out of the Chapter House and I introduced Ian Mills, the organist and the Cathedral staff, and we went back into the church to look at the restoration work. We had over 700 of a congregation that day and people were still leaving. Despite that the Prince was happy to go back into the building and he was delighted when I asked him if he wanted an opportunity to speak to some of the congregation. They, of course, were thrilled. Children from the Sunday SAchool also got to meet him.

“Among the things we looked at was the Columba window. He was very interested in that given that it is the 1,450 anniversary of Columba landing at Iona. After that the Royal party left through the music rook and departed through the Deanery gates. It was an amazing experience and afterwards I received a wonderful letter from him,” said the Dean, still clearly energized by the visit.