So to enliven the stories that fly around, this one I am happy is totally true. A good friend of the family is a highly skilled and qualified organist, and he has related thus:
So. Prince Philip (RIP). I played for a service when I was a D of M at St Olave's Hart St. A service for Trinity House, the lodge for people of a maritime persuasion. HRH was there, as well as that amateur Edward Heath. There was a reception afterwards. I was introduced to HRH and Heath, and the tosspot of a politician laid into me quite vociferously for the tempo at which I played a hymn. Just like that- amateur as he was. Not to be spoken down to by an amateur, and having played the Fugue from the the Reubke 94th psalm as a voluntary, I asked Heath if he had ever played it, knowing he would not be able to play a note of it. He huffed and puffed and prevaricated. Prince Philip looked at me. Back at Heath. "You know, Edward, as ancient sea men, we need to remember to follow the helmsman." He looked at me again and I smiled and nodded. Good man....
C