Captain Moonlight: Moved by anthem

WERE you listening to BBC Radio 4 on Friday morning, just before 7am or 8am? And did you hear the national anthem being played to mark the 73rd birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh? And did you find this quaint, inspiring or Ruritanian? The Captain, who was much moved, can tell you that Radio 4 is the only network to play the anthem on royal birthdays. Those honoured are the Queen, the Duke, the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales. The BBC World Service plays the national anthem four times a year, three times on the Queen's birthday and after her Christmas message. You can sit down now.