The crown Prince of Japan, an extremely erudite man, spent some time at Oxford.
The story goes that when he went for his interview, which mostly consisted of having dinner with the Master of Balliol, the following exchange took place.
Now Balliol regards itself as rather grand, a bit like the second regiment of the Gurkhas, or just about any Guards regiment.
At dinner, which was proceeding most smoothly, as you would imagine, the Master was making conversation and said to HRH " I've always been fascinated with Japan and it's culture and spiritual life. How exactly does the Royal Family fit into that?"
" Well," said the prince," There are, for instance, two sides to my position."
" How interesting, and what would they be?"
" Naturally, there is the temporal, which clearly defines my position as next in line to the throne."
" Of course, " said the Master, with an unctious smile." And the other?"
" The other is the spiritual, which, from my point of view, means I am a god."
" Ah, yes, I see, " said the Master." In that case, I'm sure you will feel very at home at Balliol."
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