Oh, Hello!

Oh, Hello!

Yesterday we watched Episode Six of Series Two of 'Supergran', entitled 'The State Visit' (12th April 1987). It featured, amongst others, Nichola McAuliffe as Hatty the Hat Hatterley and one Charles Hawtrey as Clarence, Duke of Claridge.

Though there is less of Charles Hawtrey than was possibly originally intended, as he was apparently somewhat merry when filming took place.

It's a fun episode, though nothing remarkable.

It features much in the way of mistaken identity and Iain Cuthbertson (as The Scunner Campbell) gets to dress up and enjoy himself.

And there is also a character called Whispering Grass (a rare credit for Peter De Dee), who is The Scunner Campbell's informant, dressed like Worzel Gummidge for reasons that are not entirely clear to us.

But during our review video, Andrew asked me where in the ranks of the extended Royal Family Clarence would sit. The answer mainly depends on who his parents were.

So if we are imagining that in the fictional world of Supergran our present Queen is the monarch, then Clarence would be either her cousin or perhaps an uncle.

It is noticable also that the name Claridge is quite close to Clarence, as well as being the name of a posh department store.

There hasn't been a Duke of Clarence (and Avondale, to give it the full title) since the death of Prince Eddy, the eldest son of Edward the Seventh and grandson of Queen Victoria.

Perhaps this is due to him being a suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders (he was at Balmoral when the murders took place, which rather rules him out, unless he had a bicycle) and his possible involvement in the Cleveland Street male brothel scandal, which made this title appear a tainted and unlucky one to some eyes.

One other well known Duke of Clarence was George Plantagenet, the brother of King Edward the Fourth and Richard the Third, who was apparently drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine after being convicted of treason by his brother Edward.

Many of the ducal titles have been reused with a tweak here or there over the years after the holder has died without an heir.

A current example of this practice is Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. This title has previously been used by Prince Alfred, who was Queen Victoria's second son. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge's title was previously held by Prince Adolphus, seventh son of George the Third and Prince Harry's title of Duke of Sussex by Prince Augustus Frederick who was George the Third's sixth son.

In any case, 'The State Visit' is an enjoyable way to spend a half an hour and if nothing else you can see a very happy and refreshed Charles Hawtrey.

Our video about 'Supergran And The State Visit' can be seen here.

(Written by Lisa Parker)