Hello, good morning and welcome....

He was the boy who came from nowhere to be one of the most famous interviewers in the world and a friend and confidante of royals everywhere. Today, the memorial service to Sir David Frost united princes and princesses, celebrities and fans as the great inquisitor was given a place among the greats of British culture with a stone to celebrate his life in Westminster Abbey.

The Prince of Wales led mourners at a memorial service in London for Sir David Frost

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were among the mourners along with the Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice and her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York with other royals including Prince Pavlos of Greece also in attendance.  The service was a celebration of Sir David's life with contributions from many of his friends and family.  Sir David, in life, was a great socialiser who brought together many different people and had a reputation for making them feel comfortable in each other's presence.  In death, that gift he had remains with the congregation at today's service united in their joy at having known the man they came to remember.

Death of the royal interrogator

He started his career lampooning those in authority but his satirical wit and ability to pick apart even the most astute of subjects didn't stop Sir David Frost being asked to interview Europe's royals.  The son of a Methodist preacher from Kent, he became friends with kings, princes and dukes.  Diana, Princess of Wales was godmother to one of his sons and royals were regular guests at his famous summer garden parties.  The death of Sir David Frost, at the age of 74 while preparing to give a talk on the cruise ship the Queen Elizabeth, will leave mourners among the first families of the continent as well as among his many fans around the world.

 

Sir David Frost with his wife, Carina, and their three sons

 

Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, King Hussein of Jordan - just a few of the big interviews that Sir David bagged in his career.  He interviewed eight Prime Ministers and seven US presidents and it was America that gave him the biggest and most famous programme of his career.  His interview with Richard Nixon became legendary and was the subject of the Oscar nominated film, Frost Nixon.  But he was friends with the royals as well as their interrogator and he was a guest at the wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys Jones in 1999. 

 

 

Sir David Frost with Prince Charles who he interviewed on the eve of his investiture as

Prince of Wales

 

His death brings to an end a career that spanned six decades and made his name a byword for TV journalism at its best.  It was hello, good evening and welcome...and now it's time to say goodbye.