Royal apology saved British man from Amin's firing squad

President Idi Amin of Uganda being carried into OAU summit, 1977. [File, Standard]

A glum looking Prince Charles silently watched the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth at the Westminster Abbey, 70 years ago.

Then aged only four, Prince Charles, did not understand much of what was going on.

At the time, the British empire was at the height of its power. Most parts of Africa, Europe and Asia caught a cold when London coughed for they were Her Majesty's subjects.