Moray journalists attend King Charles III celebration
Reporters from the The Northern Scot and sister titles attended a unique reception for the UK’s regional media this week - at Buckingham Palace.
Content editor Andy Dixon, who spoke to King Charles III, writes:
After around 45 minutes in a carpeted ballroom in Buckingham Palace, I finally realised the King was unlikely to be making his way around the outskirts of the room to meet everyone as his entourage seemed to be setting a route for the exit.
I said to colleagues Alasdair Fraser, Scott Maclennan and Lewis McBlane that I was going to take my chance and join the huddle which had surrounded him throughout.
This was a lavish event with seemingly endless drinks and nibbles but it was also a time-limited opportunity to meet King Charles III - especially inside Buckingham Palace.
Happening on Wednesday evening, it was surprising to see Thursday’s news about the King’s hospital treatment and cancelled engagements.
He was looking well for this occasion, where there were some 400 representatives of UK regional media - so for Highland News and Media to have one per cent of that crowd felt special.
In moments prior to the event, the King released a message praising how journalists had “adapted and innovated” in the face of challenges to the industry.
“I know how commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact,” his statement said.
“But as the media landscape has changed, so too many of you have adapted and innovated, finding ways of sharing your journalism and engaging audiences in new and creative ways.”
His statement closed by emphasising that quality journalism was a huge asset for communities and wider society.
“It is in everyone’s interests that you should succeed,” he added.
“For without a thriving and financially robust regional media, we would all be the poorer. Thank you.”
This was handed to us as we collected our name badges after dropping off coats and mobile phones in the cloakroom - we were not allowed any cameras, phones or recording equipment during the visit.
Waiting at the top of a spiral staircase, we had the chance to take in the surroundings with every room looking fancier than the last with antique priceless paintings and gold-coloured finishes everywhere.
On the way in, we passed the King and Queen Camilla meeting dignitaries, including culture, media and sport secretary Lisa Nandy.
Once inside we enjoyed crisps, breadsticks, mini quiches and salmon on crackers. I’m teetotal so chose apple juice while a couple of my colleagues enjoyed the Champagne.
We were invited largely as recognition for our performance at last year’s Scottish Press Awards where The Inverness Courier was named local weekly newsbrand of the year, Scott was weekly journalist of the year with Lewis runner-up and Alasdair was among our most experienced colleagues.
As I moved away from them towards the King during those closing moments, I managed to squeeze my way through and caught his eye without reaching the front row.
From what I remember, we shook hands and he saw my name badge and said: “Highland News.” I told him yes, but added I was there mainly due to The Inverness Courier and as he started to turn his attention elsewhere I told him the group had more titles including the John O’Groat Journal, and he said something along the lines of: “Ahh, Castle of Mey.”
I agreed knowing it was one of the royal properties in Caithness he’s known to visit. Then he said: “Are you here from Inverness?” I said yes, to which he replied: “I’m glad there’s someone here from Inverness, the rest have been from Glasgow or Aberdeen.”
To that, as he turned away, I replied: “Inverness is the best!”
