Martine Croxall discusses reporting on Prince Philip's death

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Prince Philip was known to follow the long-standing royal rule of avoiding involvement in political matters to support the Queen’s neutral position. But Labour peer Lord Boateng revealed the late Duke of Edinburgh once broke with tradition in a never-before-seen move seen as a sign of his protest against Apartheid in South Africa. Lord Boateng noted Prince Philip forbade the Duke of Edinburgh Awards from being held in the Commonwealth nation because of the discriminatory law.

Speaking to BBC One, the Labour peer said: “He put duty and the Queen before all else but he was concerned.

“He was concerned for a whole humanity and concern for a shared planet. And you saw that in every aspect of his own life and work.

“And in South Africa, long before it was fashionable, he took a stand against racism and Apartheid.

“He said the Award should never ever be delivered in South Africa so long as Apartheid existed.”

He continued: “And subsequently, he visited Pollsmoor Prison prison, because the award is big in prisons across the Commonwealth, not just elite schools as they say but in difficult places as well.

“He visited Pollsmoor Prison with Nelson Mandela and I think that says something about the man. He transcended all issues of race and class, he was about the development of young people and humanity.

“And that link between action and considered thought. He was a very, very special person.”

MORE TO FOLLOW…

Source: Read Full Article