The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2001 was scheduled for Brisbane 6-9 October, but on 28 September, in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the USA, the meeting was postponed, to allow for improved security.
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Banquet Portrait, CHOGM 2002. Crown copyright
The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of governments and people of 54 independent countries around the world.
Every two years, the 54 Commonwealth leaders meet in a different Commonwealth country to discuss matters of common interest and progress initiatives to benefit the Commonwealth’s diverse membership. This summit is called a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting or CHOGM.
CHOGM is arguably the only international forum where such a diverse group of countries with differing levels of capacity and resources come together as equals to find common positions through consensus, in a relatively informal manner.
International programs and other initiatives promoting democracy, racial equality, conflict resolution, cultural diversity, education, economic development and access to modern technology are key areas of achievement from the 30-year history of CHOGMs. These summits provide fundamental direction for the modern Commonwealth.
A Communiqué of mandates and policies is issued at the end of each CHOGM. Declarations or statements on important matters are also issued by the leaders.
How I shot the Queen
50 kings, queens, presidents & prime ministers, the heads of the Commonwealth countries at CHOGM Coolum 2002. I was given half an hour’s notice that this was the photo I’d be making. No time to panic.
“Side eye” on Prime Minister, John Howard
I was volunteering on the picture desk at CHOGM 2002 & given 30 minutes notice that I was to do the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Banquet Official Portrait. 50 kings, queens, presidents & prime ministers in one shot, in 30 minutes time. No pressure.
Setting up & testing the lights, plus other issues with the background … very busy in the few minutes allocated … the first to arrive was Prime Minister John Howard. Typical Liberal Party politician, he comes over, wanting to shake hands & have a chat. No pressure.
I’m thinking, I don’t have time for this, plus I really don’t like this guy. It was just after Tampa & the “children overboard lie” where Howard stole the election, just after the stolen Republic referendum … and I just don’t like the guy & his concept of ruling class.
Anyway, his hand is up for the handshake, so my hand is going up … I’m just nano-seconds from shaking hands with the prime minister when an aberration appeared (a guy from PM&C) who led the PM away … he must have read my body language.
So, back to work … the lights are set up & the organiser of the room comes over “can you move all these lights to the side of the room, because this is also the reception area”. Oh yeah OK, no pressure.
Kings, queens, presidents & prime ministers arrived & cramed into the tiny space of the reception area before they sat down to their banquet … diamonds the size of fists, egos bigger than empires. No pressure.
I’m standing next to the lights so that none of Their Majesties would have an incident … trying to blend into the wallpaper … was thinking “how did i talk my way into this, more importantly, how am i going to talk my way out”
For some reason, I usually end up hanging out with the black guys at parties. A few of them came over to chat … we’re doing the introductions:
“I’m the President of South Africa”, “I”m the President of Jamaica, man”, “I”m the King of Swaziland” …
So I says, “I’m the only one here without my own country”
Up until then it had been a quiet sedate affair but we all burst out laughing … that didn’t go according to plan & I remembered there was no plan. No pressure
Prince Phillip, consort of Queen Elizabeth II, clocks me & walks over for a chat with a big smile on his dial. His hand is going up for the handshake, my hand is going up, I’m just inches from shaking hands with the Duke of Edinburgh when an aberration appeared and stood between us … it was John Howard.
The PM is short so the Duke & I were looking over Howard’s bowed head. Duke winked, implying “watch this” & said “organising this lot must be like herding cats” … I shrugged “dunno” I’m not organising it & was probably smiling. The Duke was clearly enjoying this and had a big grin. No pressure.
John Howard wrung his hands with bowed head & said:
“Thank you Your Majesty, but please stop teasing me”.
The Duke gave me a memorable look and nod as if to say “there’s your story”.
My bros had seen the exchange & one literally clenched his fist. On that I remembered I was the only one there without my own army, nodded to the Duke & stepped back. No pressure.
Technically the Queen’s portrait was similar to a school portrait: 3 rows of people, one sitting, one standing and one standing on a small platform.
Far be it from me to order that many world leaders to do anything (at once) I said “Smile with your eyes” & they did & I walked away from another one. No pressure.
The photo got a title “Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Banquet Portrait”, and I got a certificate & this yarn.
My take away from this true story:
Royalty make really good subjects
Be careful how you say “I’ve shot 50 kings, queens, presidents & prime ministers in one shot”
I wouldn’t recommend saying that unless you’re a photographer
The leaders of the Commonwealth countries are just human. Looking around the group, it was like any other gathering. There were its potential psychopaths, yes men and likeable characters, puppets and shy guys just like any group, although the increased testosterone & ego of being in that boy’s club was palpable. I felt a lot closer to God that night.
Coincidentally, I just finished writing this yarn & heard that Phil the Greek had departed this life at 99.
Prince Phillip was well known for making the occasion memorable & there will be thousands of similar stories told in pubs tonight.
RIP Prince Phillip
Behind the scenes: the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Portrait 2002
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