Well-known local resident Art Stow approached our four-person table the other day and asked if I would be interested in some memorabilia involving Prince Philip who had passed away a week or so previously.
I replied that I would indeed be interested and that I would happily look at his own personal memories of the Duke of Edinburgh.
A week later Art again came to our table, carrying a book, Bundesrpublik Deutschland, The Federal Republic of Germany. I was quizzical about what I was about to see and hear but held my counsel until he explained that the book was only present to keep a photo inside it from bending.
The black and white photo was of a crowd gathered around a man who was easily identified as a very young Prince Philip. Among the crowd was a young boy, wearing glasses with slicked back hair. I took one look, and burst out in very impolite laughter. That youngster was of course, Art Stow.
Art Stow, front left side, by vehicle, on hand in Saskatoon to watch Prince Philip. . . autograph from Prince Philip on right side of photo. By Submitted photoAnd on the opposite side of the photo was a signature, “Philip.” No wonder Art was so proud of the photo and wanted it handled with care and with respect. What a treasure and what a memory he had of how he managed to get so close to Prince Philip and how he obtained such an important autograph.
The year was 1951 when Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Saskatoon and stopped at St. John’s Cathedral where a crowd had gathered to greet the couple. Art thinks he was 11 or 12 years of age.
RCMP security was determined to keep the crowds back but young Art squirmed his way closer where he was told to stand behind a large and burly RCMP officer. The young boy had champions in the crowd and was finally given permission to stand close to the official car where he had an unobstructed view of the proceedings. Another spirited and determined youth perched in a tree for his own view.
The transport for the Princess and Prince was an open-air Lincoln Continental. Another RCMP guard is shown in the photo, presenting a rug on his swagger stick, a rug that was placed over the knees of the couple before they drove away.
Many years later, after he had retired from the military reserves, Art was given the honour of being an aide de camp to Prince Philip who was in Canada for a world wildlife federation conference.
As he greeted Prince Philip at the Hotel Saskatchewan he brought out the photo and showed the Prince — who immediately picked himself out of the crowd — then looked closer and found and identified Art. Of course Art was delighted when Prince Philip offered to sign the photo. Who would have refused such a kind gesture?
Art’s eyes twinkle when he talks about his experiences with Prince Philip and it is evident how much he treasures this black and white photo and the signature on it of the late Prince Philip.
Thanks Art for sharing your special memories.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
