Queen mingles at speed, unlike the bendy buses

It was an honour to be invited to Buckingham Palace for the reception last week, to celebrate British Design – alongside my peers from a wide array of design disciplines. I was impressed that such time was taken to celebrate our dynamic creative industry. I think everyone was amazed at how the Queen and Prince Phillip were able to mix and mingle at speed, but took time to speak to so many of the attendees.

Prince Phillip spoke to our group about the classic, but sadly abandoned Routemaster bus (on display in the courtyard) and its relative merits versus the appalling, congestion-forming ‘bendy buses’. I’m amazed a man who never travels by bus can talk about vehicle design in such detail. I don’t think the Prince uses public transport much either.

Bill Wallsgrove

Creative director

Big Idea

London WC2E