View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
May 11, 2007updated 13 May 2007 11:41pm

Proud Simon meets the Queen – not

By Axegrinder axeblog

Guardian columnist and former Times editor Simon Jenkins told Press Gazette last week how much he enjoyed working on the Evening Standard back in the Swinging ’60s.

Now word reaches Axe of a jape played on a young Jenkins by his colleagues from the time.

According to my source Jenkins, though “clearly destined for great achievements” was “not exactly the self-effacing type” in those days and sometimes his behaviour verged on the
“downright arrogant”.

Apparently then Londoner’s Diary editor Paul Callan, his number two Jeremy Deedes and Valerie Grove decided to “invite” Jenkins to a private luncheon party hosted by the Queen.

Through a contact, they managed to obtain some Buckingham Palace notepaper. Then they borrowed a typewriter (used by the editor’s secretary) which had a very bold typeface ‒ identical to that used on Palace machines.

They “invited” Simon, and Valerie (an excellent forger) signed it “Philip More” (then the Queen’s Private Secretary). Some sealing wax was stuck on the back and it was hand-delivered to the front hall.

To be on the safe side, they also reportedly let the editor, Charles Wintour, in on the joke (in case it backfired), who apparently also thought it was a good wheeze.

Young Jenkins sent an acceptance to the invite (which was quickly retrieved from the mailroom by a conspirator).

And on the day of the “lunch”, he arrived in a splendid new suit and proudly told his colleagues where he was heading.

Sadly, his sense of humour apparently slipped somewhat when he was informed it was all a joke. As he told Press Gazette: “The Sixties were a great time to be working on a
London paper.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network