Ray Martin discusses interviewing “arrogant” senior royal
Veteran journalist Ray Martin has interviewed many high profile figures over his stellar career in the media.
Some of his most noteworthy conversations have been with members of the royal family, including the late Princess Diana, and another senior royal that Martin said confirmed his “worst suspicions” about the institution.
Speaking with news.com.au’s I’ve Got News for You podcast, he shared the details of his 1981 interview with the late Prince Philip, who he recalled as being “arrogant”.
The interview took place when Martin was a reporter for 60 Minutes, as he was offered a rare sit-down with the late Duke of Edinburgh, about his role as the international president of the World Wildlife Fund.
Unsurprisingly, it was a tightly-controlled environment on board the royal ship Britannia, where the interview took place.
“It was strictly about World Wildlife, we couldn’t talk about anything else,” Martin told the podcast.
“I didn’t like Prince Philip – he was quite priggish and arrogant, and that confirmed all my worst suspicions of the royals.”
Despite his unpleasant memories of the late royal, he said he felt completely differently about King Charles, who he first interviewed in 1994 amid a growing Republican movement, describing him as “very pleasant, very comfortable”.
“(He was) a little shy, and went out of his way to be nice and polite to our team … He certainly made it easy for all of us, and I went away thinking, ‘You’re not a bad bloke’.”
Ray went on to say although no topics were officially off limits, he chose not to pry about personal issues with the now King.
“Of course, I was tempted,” Martin admitted.
“I don’t remember them saying he wouldn’t talk about (Princess Diana), but protocol was that he was prepared to talk about the Republic and other issues like that, so that was it.”
After their interview concluded, Ray took a chance and asked the royal if he wanted to join the crew for a drink, given the warm Brisbane weather.
“It was a really hot Queensland day, and I said, ‘we’re going down to the Gold Coast for a swim and a beer, would you like to join us?’” he revealed.
“And he laughed and said, ‘I would like to join you, but I’ve got to give a bloody speech in Auckland... but I’d much prefer to go to the Gold Coast and have a beer.’ So it was kind of funny. I think he enjoyed the day, and we enjoyed it.”
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