Seeing for Himself

Not a waving flag or curtsey in sight as a solemn Prince of Wales tours deprived north east mining villages.

Despite the royal visit, there are few smiles on show among the coal mining communities of Northumberland and Durham in this Topical Budget newsreel. Filmed in February 1929, with the Wall Street Crash and the depression it heralded still to come, it shows a grim-faced future Edward VIII looking genuinely concerned by the hardship he sees around him. With a refreshing lack of formality, he shakes hands with miners and doffs his hat to the women, while a young girl stares curiously, oblivious to his royal status.