The local media invited to cover the Prince of Wales’ visit to FRI were restricted to the mango grove at FRI and not allowed to enter the convocation hall where the prince addressed the gathering.
While the British High Commission representative said that the event had been hosted by the institute which was responsible for handling the local media, the FRI officials stated that the British authorities were not in favour of allowing the local media inside the convocation hall. A senior police officer said that Charles had been granted the status of a distinguished foreigner by the Government of India, while the Uttarakhand Government had made him a State guest.
However, this does not explain why the local media was barred from entering the hall which was occupied by officials, students and locals. An institute official on condition of anonymity said, “The local media obviously did not pose a security threat or any other problem, but the institute itself did not insist that the local media be allowed to cover the event properly.” All that the local media was allowed to see was the prince cutting a cake and planting a sapling at the mango grove.