Strictly no photos - but surely they didn't mean us
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325758)
Rockingham, Australia
November 28, 2017 6:13pm CST
When we visited London in 1997 we wanted to visit Harrods just to see all the fuss was about and to be able to tell people that we’d been there. We were there not long after the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her companion, Dodi Fayed. Fayed’s father owned Harrods at that time.
There was a display on one of the landings between the floors showing photos of both Diana and Dodi. The decorations in the shop were stunning as it was getting on towards Christmas and Vince had his camera out and was taking photos of various sections of the store. Coming back down the stairs he stopped to take a snap of the memorial display.
Suddenly we heard a loud voice coming from below. Someone was shouting ‘Who’s taking photos? Security, where’s that flash coming from? Someone’s taking photos. Who’s taking photos?’
Vince stuffed the camera under his coat (luckily he was wearing one) and muttered to me ‘Come on, we’re out of here’. We went quickly but innocently down the stairs and out the door into the street. Once safely outside, we turned and looked back. Only then did we notice the large signs saying ‘Strictly no photographs’.
It can be easy to miss some things, can’t it? The photo is of the display.
26 people like this
22 responses
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Nov 17
Aha! The illicit photos!
5 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
29 Nov 17
@JudyEv you should have sold them to the gossip magazines and you'll be referred to as "anonymous sources"
4 people like this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
@hereandthere We were just pleased to get away safely. 
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
29 Nov 17
That was a close call! I wonder what they would have done? Just deleted the photos maybe?
5 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
29 Nov 17
@db20747 Very bad publicity though.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
@db20747 @JamesHxstaticI don't know if they would have been upset about any photos or just the ones of Diana and Dodi. We didn't stop to find out!
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Nov 17
Many shops don't like people to take photos of their displays, &c. It's probably partly to do with security and criminals knowing where the cameras and other security devices are but also to do with professional pride and not wanting people to copy their displays. I have sometimes taken photos of price tickets, just for my own use, of course, so I can remember the prices and I have occasionally had some funny looks. I always remember to turn the flash off, though. I don't want to be too obvious!
4 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Nov 17
@JudyEv Might that have been because there could have been people in the shop who might not want their photos taken (especially together!) and possibly sent to 'interested parties'?
I can imagine that Harrods would also want to protect their customers from being photographed for different reasons. Quite a number of very well known and wealthy people shop in person there and the gossip press could have a field day on where Lady/Princess So-and-So was and what she was buying.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
@owlwings Both reasons are logical and legitimate. At the time (1997) we were a bit naive I suppose and privacy wasn't such an issue. At Gretna Green it seemed the main concern was that people would copy the ideas for the handcrafted items.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
29 Nov 17
Glad you didn't get into trouble! I wonder if it's possible for them to forbid people from taking photos now, with camera phones and all.
I wonder if it's possible for them to forbid people from taking photos now, with camera phones and all.4 people like this
@snowy22315 (169965)
• United States
29 Nov 17
I went to Harrods once too. It was an amazing store. I think I even had tea there. It cost a fortune...but it was fun! As I recall, my S/O didn't join me as he thought it cost too much.
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Nov 17
Oops 
! But of course they did not see the fine, fine print under the sign that said "Vince Exempt" . Oh wait, he "thought" that's what it said 
.
I suppose it's easier to secretly take photos these days than back then . . . with smartphones and cameras being slimmer and smaller.
! But of course they did not see the fine, fine print under the sign that said "Vince Exempt" . Oh wait, he "thought" that's what it said .
I suppose it's easier to secretly take photos these days than back then . . . with smartphones and cameras being slimmer and smaller.2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
29 Nov 17
He he, sometimes we are unaware of the sign because of our excitement. Perfect time to get out from that scene.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
29 Nov 17
Yes, it is easy to miss things. I am glad you got the photos before anything said anything and glad that Vince could hide the camera and glad you got out of there without anyone taking the camera away. What is special about Harrods that you cannot take pictures? I thought in certain places like museums you can't.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Nov 17
I guess perhaps there could be people shopping who wouldn't want their photos taken (royalty or whatever) and also they may not want their displays copied by others.
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
29 Nov 17
Wow luckily they didnt realize it was Vince. Nice picture.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 17
@Happy2BeMe That's quite true. It was only funny because it turned out okay.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
29 Nov 17
@JudyEv you could have been in real trouble
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
2 Dec 17
We had that happen once to us as well. There was this really neat shop in Lake George Ny we visited on vacation every year. There was no camera signs but my parents wanted to show my 80+ year old grandfather back home in our little town how neat the shop was so my father walked through with his video camera and got yelled at of course.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Dec 17
It's a shame isn't it? I guess they have their reasons. Well, I know they have but they're not very good ones. 
@allknowing (130066)
• India
30 Nov 17
Good there were no CC TVs those days (lol) Did you visit their rest room. I was advised to do so by a friend of mine and we were supposed to pay for it. Being Sunday Harrods was closed the day we were there.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Nov 17
What a shame the store was closed the day you were there. Some of the restrooms are amazing aren't they?
@JudyEv (325758)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Dec 17
Some security guy was a bit over-zealous wasn't he?
