HRH Prince Philip and Doggett’s Coat and Badge

Doggett’s Coat and Badge is a rowing race on the Thames from London Bridge to Cadogan Pier.  It is the oldest rowing race in the world (and probably the oldest continuous sporting event in the world too).  The Duke of Edinburgh is a liveryman and former Prime Warden of the Fishmongers’ Company who run the event – and so he travelled in the umpire’s boat to make sure the whole thing happened properly!

Essentially, it is a race of 5 young chaps who have served an apprenticeship as watermen on the River Thames and it is about 5 miles long, passing by the most glorious bits of London.

I was commissioned by Fishmongers as their official photographer for the day (which meant I got a dedicated boat with a film cameraman; away from the press) and so we travelled with the umpire’s boat to the finish and then photographed the presentation of prizes.

At the finish – Old and New Doggett’s

After this, we headed back to the Fishmongers Hall, where Prince Philip met some of the youth activities conducted at the Hall to bring awareness about the cleanliness of the Thames, before being hosted for lunch.

This was the 300th anniversary since the first race, and so it was a huge honour to not only photograph the event, but also just to be present!

Next stop…. the Arctic!