Before the clock had struck 11 today Tasmanian royalty had come and gone.
Ricky Ponting was out for 5, so obviously lbw that in an almost unprecedented admission of his own culpability he walked off before waiting for the umpire's decision.
It would have been a perfect day to celebrate another fine Test knock from the great champion, and no doubt the question will be raised again before this game is out whether this is the last home Test for this prince of a batsman.
Meanwhile around the city of Hobart another form of Tasmanian royalty has been the object of much attention this week, with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her family back in her home town for some downtime.
These royal visits always create a mild level of frenzy in the local media. Once I was despatched by ABC Local Radio management to a streetside vantage point to deliver a live-to-air 'motorcade report' as the vice-regal Rolls Royce glided through town. It was fun to be a part of the hype and excitement.
On other visits the royal family has been snapped at the local grocer, the butcher, Salamanca market and one occasion at Mary's old school.
I've sometimes wondered if given the chance what I would chat to the royal couple about if I had the chance.
With my life experience in Hobart subjects for small talk with the princess probably wouldn't be too hard to come up with but with Prince Frederik himself it might take a bit more work.
There's always the universal subject of sport. Knowing that Frederick first met Mary during the Sydney Olympics in 2000, that splendid fortnight would be a happy and rich vein of conversational material.
The Prince's well known love of sailing could translate to a chat about the upcoming Sydney to Hobart race and my own interest in international soccer could lead to some happy reminisces about Denmark's fairytale win in the 1992 European championships.
It turns out the prince has come to the cricket on his own today - well, he drove through the gate on his own followed by a security detail upwards of half a dozen.
So if the prince and I do cross paths and he agrees to a one-to-one interview, what to ask?
Perhaps his knowledge of Ollie Mortensen, the burly Danish seamer who plied his trade with Derbyshire in the English county championship through the 1980s, and as an extension of that a question about any good cricketing prospects emerging in Denmark.
On the prospects of the other Tasmanian Prince - Ricky Ponting - I might spare him. European royalty can only comment on so many important matters of state.
As I look ahead to the afternoon's play I've trained my mind to the possibility of this royal exclusive with one of cricket's newest fans.
If and when it happens Grandstand listeners will be the first to hear it.
Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, australia First posted December 10, 2011 14:44:26
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