A Kingdom For Jonny Wilkinson: Prince Harry Expects
NO news of Prince Harry’s preparations for the Rugby World Cup final but the Mirror fills the void with a shot of Jonny Wilkinson stood atop a plinth.
The Fourth Plinth is located in the north-west corner of Trafalgar Square, opposite the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery. The Fourth Plinth project tells us: “It was originally designed by Sir Charles Barry and built in 1841 to display an equestrian statue. There were insufficient funds to create such a statue and so the plinth remained empty.”
Instead of an effigy of Red Rum, Quick Draw McGraw or, more likely, a military leader on a charger, we have Jonny Wilkinson, a vision in wax. But the mood is ever warlike and jingoistic in Trafalgar. As the Mirror announces: “ENGLAND EXPECTS that every man will do his booty.”
Given the changing nature of the English language, doing your booty takes on an savoury tone that Anorak will not dwell upon, saving it for the post-match showers with the lads.
Before that, England need to win. “GO JONNY GO AND WIN IT,” commands the Express’ cover page. Big Brother’s Chanelle Hayes wears patriotic England knickers on the Star cover. And the Times leads with Wilkinson reading a paper and the headline “Buddha and me”. Or to put things in order of godliness on this auspicious day, Me and Buddha.
Says that paper’s Simon Barnes: “Jonny kicks knowing that if he fails, he has failed everybody”.
For He is the blessed one…
Your Captions Welcome…
Posted: 20th, October 2007 | In: Back pages Comments (5) | TrackBack | Permalink
