The humour of Mountbatten the Isle of Wight’s last governor

Unfortunately this tradition ended following his assassination by the IRA.

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During his appointment as governor, he would be a frequent visitor attending various ceremonies and quite often accompanying other members of royalty.

During this period I was regularly involved in photographing him either for press or magazine publications, and in doing so we became on talking terms.

Lord Louis Mountbatten with his hat pulled down and a sly grin. Photo: David White.

So I will mention a few little harmless and amusing scenarios regarding our working association — Lord Louis the royal celebrity and me, the young, pushy and cheeky press photographer.

The working relationship, believe it or not, worked quite well. I knew when to get the picture without interrupting his duties, and in turn he was very helpful to me in getting my photos.

One incident happened when he made a visit to the Ventnor Botanic Garden.

I had been asked by a magazine client if I could possibly obtain a portrait of Lord Louis.

So waiting with bated breath I choose the moment, in which to ask his military aide, if he would ask Lord Louis if he would oblige.

Straight away Lord Louis left his official duties and approached me, regarding my request.

So in order that I could obtain a suitable picture away from the crowds, I suggested that we go into the palm garden, which at the time was completely deserted.

This we did, and I proceeded to prepare taking the shot, back then it involved me taking a light reading.

During my preparation we were exchanging some light humour, and in his typically amusing way, Lord Louis quipped: “ Come on, shoot me and finish the whole job off.”

I replied cheekily: “I could now, couldn’t I?” to which I got the reply — coupled with a big chuckle: “Afraid not, you would never get away with it, too many people know you.”

I replied: “I’m afraid, sir, you might be right,” and laughed.

During the shoot I suggested he pull the trilby hat he was wearing lower down over his forehead, hinting that I thought it gave him that special look, more like some of the previous kings.

What a great sense of humour he had, because during the performance of his official opening duty and speech he deliberately pulled his hat down over his forehead, giving me a slightly amusing look.

Another occasion demonstrated his thoughtfulness.

It was during his accompanying the Queen Mother on her official visit to the Isle of Wight.

Again I covered the visit for the press, plus a magazine commission, but I found it difficult to capture a photo of her face actually looking at my camera.

It was also proving hard to find an opening where she was not surrounded by officials all wanting their little bit of glory.

So when I got the chance, I asked Lord Louis if he could help and his reply was: “Just stand there and be ready with your camera and I will see what I can do.”

Hey presto, he took the Queen Mother’s arm and obviously whispered for her to turn for a photograph — and I got my photo.

The successful picture of the Queen Mother, taken with a bit of help by Lord Louis Mountbatten. Photo: David White.

In fact, to prove the point, I managed to quickly get the photo of Lord Louis directing her to look towards my camera.

Mountbatten was known for his liking of punctuality, on one occasion I had been waiting outside of County Hall in Newport. While waiting, I was talking to his police motorcyclist escort.

Upon the emergence of Lord Louis, the policeman issued instructions to me not to delay him by taking too long over photographing Lord Mountbatten.

While taking my photos, Lord Louis said to me: “I saw you talking to the police escort, so what do you fellows talk about when waiting around?”

I replied, telling him that I had been instructed not to take to long over my picture-taking and added: “That you sir, I was instructed, required strict punctuality.”

Lord Louis grinned and nodded and just quietly said:”Oh.”

Upon getting into the official car, he turned to his policeman escort saying rather sharply: “Please make sure we can be on time Mr...,” then sitting in the car he looked at me and gave me a wide grin.

One could write of many more stories regarding Lord Mountbatten and his humour, and also of some of the brief dialogue we had.

With his death, the Isle of Wight sadly lost a valuable and irreplaceable champion.

WATCH: Remembering Lord Mountbatten's Assassination August 1979

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