A job of a lifetime

RON Allison considers himself lucky - very lucky. For not only was he privileged enough to land a job as press secretary to the Queen - giving him access to some of the most celebrated, once-in-a-lifetime events of the 20th century - but it was at a time when there was very

little in the way of royal scandal.

He's not saying his job was easy, but he certainly doesn't envy his current successor, given the stream of bad press which seems to have dogged the royal family in recent years.

Ron, 70, believes the activities of other members of the royal family have not harmed the Queen one bit as she enters her Golden Jubilee year.

"What we're celebrating here is 50 years of the Queen's reign, and I would suggest she is certainly as popular now as she was 25 years ago," he says.

"When people start to consider that she's been on the throne now for 50 years, I think her popularity is even greater because of the appreciation of what she's done."

Ron's admiration for his former boss is unfaltering, which is why he chose to write a book for her Golden Jubilee.

The Queen, 50 Years - A Celebration is borne out of a respect and deep

affection for a woman who, in Ron's words, "has to combine the roles of wife, mother, grandmother and head of state", but does so with "stamina and patience", as well as "a sense of fun and an appreciation of the absurdities of life".

Ron was educated at Southampton Grammar School - now Taunton's College in Hill Lane and, for the lifelong Saints supporter, the city still holds a special place in Ron's affections. Ron now lives in Winchester with his second wife Jennifer, 42, and his youngest son David, six.

Shortly after leaving the army in 1952, and feeling unsure what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, Ron fell into a job as a trainee reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle.

Five years later he was just about to accept a position at the Daily Echo when he was offered a reporter's job with the BBC. He spent 16 years in Southampton and then London as a reporter before becoming a correspondent for the BBC in 1969.

"That brought me into contact with the royal family and the royal household and I started travelling abroad with them," said Ron.

In a classic case of being in the right place at the right time, during 1973 Ron was invited to take over from the Queen's press secretary.

It was a dream job for Ron, and one which ensured there was never a dull moment over the next five years of his working life.

He recalls: "I joined in May 1973 and Princess Anne and Mark Phillips immediately announced their engagement, so I went straight into a major event which was a bit daunting, but it was also a wonderful way to establish myself and a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

"They were married in November and I was very sorry when later on they

decided to go their separate ways."

Ron's job involved heading up a small team which was responsible for the press relations of all members of the royal family, except Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother who had their own press office at Clarence House.

"With Prince Andrew and Prince Edward both at school, Ron constantly strove to keep a balance between public interest in their lives and the need to

protect them from the press, while Prince Charles's romantic conquests proved a subject of endless media speculation during his time at university and in the forces.

"It always amazes me and interests me that while I was there probably every working day we were asked a question relating to who Prince Charles was going to marry.

"Various girls were suggested and we were asked to comment on various names, but nobody ever mentioned Lady Diana Spencer," he says.

"The press office was extremely well informed by members of the royal family. I don't think I was ever taken by surprise by anybody."

Ron's final full year in the role was 1977 - the Queen's Silver Jubilee year.

"As press secretary you're responsible for ensuring the media has access to all that's happening, so in the latter half of 1976 we were making reconiscense trips to the countries the Queen was going to visit.

"In the Jubilee year I went on all the overseas tours and on most visits she paid to various parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland.

"It was very hard work in terms of time, but it was so enjoyable and so rewarding just being part of what was a huge national celebration," says Ron.

"That undoubtedly was the highlight of my time at the palace. I just thoroughly enjoyed that whole year."

While he still does some TV work in terms of commenting on major royal events, this time the Queen's Jubilee celebrations will be a rather more relaxed affair for Ron.

On Jubilee weekend 2002 you'll find him enjoying jelly and ice-cream with the kids in his very appropriately named street, King Alfred's Terrace. But he's sure to be keeping a keen eye on the rest of the world's celebrations.

"There are so many comparisons between this year and 25 years ago, and I'm absolutely certain this year will prove to be every bit as much a year of celebration. Perhaps there won't be so many street parties but the basic programme still involves the Queen and Prince Philip getting to all parts of the country and to visit the Commonwealth monarchies, and there will be the special celebrations in London in June.

"There are lots of imaginative ideas that weren't included in 1977, like the concerts in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. I'm sure the Jubilee will capture the imagination of the majority of people."

* The Queen, 50 Years - A Celebration is published by HarperCollins, priced £20.