Richard Fitzwilliams (born 14 October 1949) is a British public relations consultant and commentator. He is known for his specialisation in promoting figurative art exhibitions, including those held at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Threadneedle Prize at the Mall Galleries. From 1975 to 2001, he served as the editor of “The International Who's Who.”

Professional career

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Publishing

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From 1972 to 1975, Fitzwilliams served as an assistant editor of Africa South of the Sahara (Europa Publications). Following that, he assumed the role of an editor for Europa's International Who's Who,[1][2] which was established in 1935. During his tenure, Richard's editing work encompassed various subjects such as cinema, theatre, art, history, and politics. His historic works developed a focus on royal matters. The task of editing The International Who's Who was likened to “painting the Forth Bridge of Fame” by The Guardian, due to its ongoing nature.[3] He arranged the promotion of The International Who’s Who, garnering press coverage in Britain and abroad.[citation needed]

Fitzwilliams is also an author and lecturer on the subject of Who's Who book publication.[4][5][6][7] He has participated in numerous radio interviews, including appearances on BBC Radio 4's Today programme in 2009[8] and BBC News, where he discussed the renowned reference book.[9]

Public relations

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Since 2002, Fitzwilliams has served as a press consultant for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, actively promoting their annual exhibitions held at the Mall Galleries.[10][11] He has also been involved in promoting specific events such as their 2007 self-portrait exhibitions and their permanent collection located at Girton College, Cambridge.[12][13][14][15] Additionally, since 2008, Fitzwilliams has been working as a press consultant for the Threadneedle Prize, a prestigious exhibitionist showcasing figurative painting and sculpture[16][17] that takes place at the Mall Galleries. He has played a promotional role in the Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize since 2009.[18]

Royal commentator

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Fitzwilliams frequently contributes on matters related to the British royal family to various news outlets such as CNN,[19][20][21] BBC News Channel, and Sky News.[22]

Fitzwilliams has also provided regular interviews on the Queen's Birthday and New Year Honours Lists for BBC Breakfast TV, BBC News Channel, Sky News, and numerous radio stations.[23] He is known for delivering lectures on the British honours system.[24] Additionally, he covers the Royal Ascot event for television and radio broadcasts.[25]

In March 2021, Fitzwilliams unknowingly participated in an interview with a fictional news company created by YouTubers Josh Pieters and Archie Manners. This interview tricked him into giving his reaction to the yet-to-be-aired Prince Harry and Meghan Markle interview with Oprah Winfrey.[26]

Film critic

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Fitzwilliams's film critiques primarily centre around epics, historical films, and movies that revolve around royalty and maritime themes. He has delivered lectures at the National Army Museum, specifically focusing on the depiction of war in films.[27] Additionally, he has provided obituaries for esteemed actors and directors on television and radio platforms.[28][29][30]

As a commentator, Fitzwilliams shares insights on films and film awards ceremonies for various news outlets, including CNN,[31] CBS News,[32] BBC News Channel, Sky News, and Al Jazeera.[33] Since 2007, he has been the weekly film reviewer for Talk Radio Europe’s programme called “Movies and U,”[34] and he regularly contributes reviews to Siren FM, where he also served as a co-presenter from 2011 onwards.[35]

Newspapers and magazines

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Since 1997, Fitzwilliams has been a regular contributor to The London and UK Datebook,[36] where he writes the Artscene column. His contributions involved reviewing various arts events in London as well as providing reviews of Royal Ascot and charity events for the publication's Going Places section.[citation needed]

In 2010, Fitzwilliams authored articles that were featured in The Daily Telegraph,[37] The Australian,[38] and The Express.[39] Furthermore, from 1978 to 1980, he wrote regular articles on international affairs for The Evening Post in South Africa.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ " International Who's Who 2002. Richard Fitzwilliams Editor
  2. ^ Julia Hartley-Brewer Spin doctor joins great and good", The Guardian, 13 July 1999. Accessed 19 August 2011.
  3. ^ "People" The Guardian 17 July 1982 (Linda Christmas)
  4. ^ Easton Ellis is back, basking in Starlight, London Evening Standard, 16 July 2010. Accessed 19 August 2011.
  5. ^ Richard Fitzwilliams, "Who's Who: A Book that speaks volumes", Daily Express, 6 December 2010. Accessed 19 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Lecture on Honours system, Barbican Library 20 May 2009". Barbican.org.uk. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  7. ^ Richard Fitzwilliams, "The Honours they couldn't accept", Daily Express, 30 December 2010. Accessed 19 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Today: Monday 7th December", BBC. Accessed 19 August 2011.
  9. ^ "'Entertainment Who's Who in the Millennium'". BBC News. 13 July 1999. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Press Consultant for Royal Society of Portrait Painters". Therp.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Portraits at an Exhibition". Thisislondon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  12. ^ "Officers, Patrons, Friends of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters". Therp.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  13. ^ "Photographs of Royal Society of Portrait Painters' publicity 2009". Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Photographs of Royal Society of Portrait Painters' publicity 2010". Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Photographs of Royal Society of Portrait Painters' publicity 2011". Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  16. ^ "Press Consultant for The Threadneedle Prize". Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  17. ^ "More details of the Threadneedle Prize". Richardfitzwilliams.com. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  18. ^ "Richard Fitzwilliams- Former Editor of International 'Who's Who 'discussing the latest award winning artists short-listed for the Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize 2010". Southsidebroadcasting.com. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  19. ^ "Diana's son turns 25, grows richer". Articles.cnn.com. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  20. ^ "CTV Newsnet - Richard Fitzwilliams, Royal Watchers". CTV News. Retrieved 20 August 2011.[dead link]
  21. ^ "Prince Harry BBC interview". BBC News. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  22. ^ "'Happy Prince's 'Handsome' New Portrait'". News.sky.com. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  23. ^ "Who's your top Scot of 2008? -BBC Radio Scotland December 2008". Bbc.co.uk. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  24. ^ "University of Cape Town lecture 2009". Ucttrust.org.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  25. ^ "Tuesday 14 June 2011 Richard Fitzwilliams, Royal Commentator and Art & Theatre Critic. Reporting live from Royal Ascot, which starts today, and is celebrating 300 years". Talkradioeurope.com. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  26. ^ "Royal commentators hoaxed into critique of Meghan interview before seeing it". the Guardian. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  27. ^ "War on Screen 6 September 2007". Nam.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  28. ^ "Peter Ustinov tribute BBC News 24, 29 March 2004". BBC News. 29 March 2004. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  29. ^ "Fitzwilliams' Oliver Reed obituary BBC Radio 5 Live 2 May 1999". BBC News. 2 May 1999. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  30. ^ "Interview: Richard Fitzwilliams pays tribute to Elizabeth Taylor". Talksport.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  31. ^ "Award CeremoniesCNN". Videosurf.com. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  32. ^ "CBS News 'High School Musical'". Cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  33. ^ AlJazeeraEnglish (10 March 2010). "Academy Awards Al Jazeera". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  34. ^ "Meet Richard Fitzwilliams", Talk Radio Europe. Accessed 15 August 2011.
  35. ^ "Regular presenter on Siren FM". Sirenonline.co.uk. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  36. ^ "Contributor to The London Datebook". Thedatebook.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  37. ^ 'Who does he think they are' - Daily Telegraph 13 July 1996.
  38. ^ 'The What’s What of Who’s Who October 1994
  39. ^ 'Honours system and Who’s Who'
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