Dear Twiggy . . . writes Philip
Daily Sketch - 09/03/67
PRINCE PHILIP has written to Twiggy about the problem of her passport to America.
The 17-year-old model plans to visit the U.S. later this month to boost clothes made by her new company.
But passport officials told her she could not work outside Britain without a
special license. So Twiggy wrote to the Duke asking if he could help. She posted the letter to try to catch Prince Philip
at Singapore, on his Far Eastern trip. And he replied from Government House in
Canberra, Australia.
The typewritten letter begins with "Dear Twiggy” in the Dukes handwriting.
It adds: "I am sorry to say’ that I have no influence whatever with the Foreign
Office or with Mr. Brown (the Foreign Secretary).
“I am sending your letter to Lord Watkinson, who is chairman of the Committee
for Exports to the United States of America.
“He may he able to help, if not you might like to consider taking it up with a newspaper such as the
Daily Mirror.
"Yours sincerely. Philip.”
Twiggy had already done just that. But it was the Daily Sketch, not the Daily Mirror, which helped her unravel the problems of getting a passport.
On Monday she appeared before a magistrate at Bow-street court, London. and walked out with her
license. She will get her
passport today.
Twiggy said last night: “I am knocked out that Prince Philip should personally reply to me. I think he is
just great.”
Dear
Prince Philip,
I read your speech about importance of exports. I am a model and I
recently launched a new company manufacturing clothes. I have been asked
to go to America to publicise these clothes and have been told by leading
American stores that with my personal appearances they would place orders
of one million dollars.
But the passport office refuses to renew my passport for this trip.
PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME?
Twiggy
Dear
Twiggy,
I am sorry
to say that I have no influence whatever with the Foreign Office or with
Mr Brown who is currently responsible for the issue of passports.
Although I
imagine there must be some reason for the passport office to refuse to
renew your passport. I am sending your letter to Lord Watkinson who is
Chairman of the Committee for Exports to the United States of America. He
may be able to help. If not you might like to consider taking it up with a
newspaper such as the Daily Mirror.
Yours
Sincerely
Philip
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