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Prince Monolulu:Brighton seafront 1954

This photo was taken by my Dad, of Prince Monolulu, my Mum, brother Ron and me, holding the ball in about 1954 outside Palace Pier. The coach behind was waiting to take us and punters, to Brighton racecourse.

I have fond memories of this man, and I remember him giving out envelopes with tips and shouting “I’ve gotta horse”  Brilliant memories, and although I now live in Cambridgeshire, my brother and I still visit Brighton & Hove often.

Prince Monolulu and my family c1954
From the private collection of Colin Southwood

Comments about this page

  • Is this the same Prince Monolulu who also frequented the markets of London? I have been working with community groups in Church Street (Edgware Road) and Pimlico, who remember an African prince similar to this man (I’ve seen photos) with great fondness. Apparently he used to give tips on the horses, but no-one ever won though!

    By Camilla B (25/09/2012)
  • If you google his name, a lot comes up with pictures. Yes, he did frequent the markets.

    By Jennifer Tonks (26/09/2012)
  • I remember him from Brighton Racecourse. When I was about five years old, he gave me a sixpence once. It was a lot of money for a child in the early 60s. A colourful character he was for sure!

    By Jeni Brixey (15/01/2013)
  • I remember the Prince – he had a slogan at the races: “I gotta horse” as he sold tips to the punters.

    By Ann Bonner (08/12/2014)
  • I lived in Elm Grove next to the Race Course and on race days it was one of the most exciting days of the year. Prince Monolulu was a real character selling tips to anyone silly enough to buy them. He wasn’t the only tipster, i remember an ex jockey who set up microphones and gathered a crowd around him. The crowd consisted of us kids, who if we stayed until the end of his sales talk would receive a sixpence. Happy days !

    By Anthony Wickham (14/11/2016)
  • I think I read or heard somewhere that The Prince wasn’t from Africa at all but from Trinidad.

    By Adrian Baron (21/09/2017)
  • My mother told me she was once up at the racetrack with her father and grandfather, when Prince Monolulu spotted her in the crowd. She said he picked her up and walked around with her in his arms. She was about 3 or 4 at the time, so this would be the early 1930s. She remember ed him vividly. Sadly she died 3 years ago, but I would love to know if there is a photograph of this anywhere.

    By Tina Mace (26/10/2019)
  • You are spot on about Prince Monolulo visiting Church Street market (off Edgware Road). My mum lived at the Wheatsheaf in Edgware Road (opposite Church Street) from 1926 to 1944 and then around the corner in Paddington Green until 1956. My mum and grandmother were regulars at Church Street market and mum told me about Prince Monolulo as he was quite exceptional.

    By Elizabeth Simpson (03/05/2021)

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