Tag: #sydney

Princess Marina Visits Australia

On 16th July 1964 it was announced by the Prime Minister’s Office in Canberra that Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent would make a visit to Australia, the ‘main purpose’ was to visit the British Exhibition in Sydney. The typed two-page official communique noted that this was the Princess’ first visit to Australia and ‘many would remember the sorrowful circumstances which prevented her being in Australia with her late husband, the Duke of Kent, who, before his tragic death on Active Service had accepted a term of appointment as Australia’s Governor-General.’ The visit, which the Canberra Times observed was ‘planned for informality’ and ‘to allow as many people as possible’ to see the royal visitor, commenced with several days of engagements in Canberra. It was emphasised that this was a ‘royal visit’ and not a ‘royal tour’ which was in keeping with current federal government policy, and the Prime Minister would acknowledge to his cabinet: ‘we have been aiming at short and limited Royal visits so that they may be more frequent.’

For good measure, a few days prior to the Princess’ arrival, a new ‘portrait study’ of Marina, by the English society photographer Cecil Beaton, was released. The Princess’ visit was all the more anticipated as rumours abounded that her daughter Princess Alexandra, who had enjoyed a very successful visit in 1959, was to become Australia’s next Governor-General. The rumour was unfounded.

Princess Marina photographed prior to the 1964 Tour.

Marina did not arrive unprepared. She had often spoken to Princess Alexandra about her five-week tour in August/September 1959 and her impressions of the country and people. Sir Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister, had also recently dined with Marina at Kensington Palace to discuss the prospective visit. Marina had often met Sir Robert during his frequent visits to London over the years. According to Marina’s biographer, Stella King, the Princess also studied books that she and the late Duke had consulted together, as he prepared to take up his post as Governor-General in 1939, in addition to some speeches he had already drafted.

Marina’s schedule was initially neither taxing or ‘informal’ but doubtless gave the Princess time to recover from any residual “jetlag” (Her Royal Highness had travelled from London to Sydney in the Qantas Boeing 707 City of Adelaide with a brief stopover in San Francisco). Her subsequent arrival at R.A.A.F. Fairbairn, Canberra at 9.30am on 26 September was covered by Australian television in what was hailed in the local press as ‘the biggest national television link which has ever originated from the city.’ The event was enlivened by a 21-gun salute which certainly made an impression on the waiting officials (including the Governor-General) and the crowd of around 1,000 onlookers. The Royal Military College Band were also on parade. All were delighted when the Princess, dressed in a cherry red ensemble, made time to speak to many of those gathered and informed them, “What a beautiful morning it is. I can’t believe I’m here at last.” The Princess brought with her an entourage of ten including her Private Secretary Sir Philip Hay and Lady-in-Waiting Patricia Heaton. In the afternoon, a press conference was held at Yarralumla, the Governor-General, Viscount De L’Isle’s official residence in Canberra. The press reported that the Princess ‘smoked a cigarette and drank a glass of bitter lemon’ during the proceedings. Otherwise, it was a day clear of engagements which gave Marina time to familiarise herself with Government House, as Yarralumla was often referred to. The experience proved rather poignant (as would much of the tour) as she observed the blue satin-covered sofas, the silk tweed curtains, the Grecian rugs and the quality bed linen chosen by her husband, the late Prince George, in anticipation of his assuming the Governor-General’s position in November 1939. Indeed, preparations had been so far advanced that the Duke of Kent had ordered a new Rolls-Royce with which to undertake his Vice-Regal duties and a Private Secretary, Sir Eric Mieville had been appointed. However, following the outbreak of war with Germany, in September 1939, the Australian government were informed by Prince George himself that he and Marina had been forced to ‘abandon our intentions of coming out to Australia next month.’ From his reply, it is clear the Prime Minister (the then not yet ennobled Mr Robert Menzies) had viewed this as merely a ‘postponement’ of these plans.

Princess Marina arrives in Australia on Qantas Boeing 707

But returning to Marina’s current visit: On the first full day of the visit-27 September-the Princess attended Sunday Divine Service at the Church of St John the Baptist. A Greek woman, Mrs. Jones (who was married to an Englishman) stepped forward from amongst the onlookers who lined the avenue outside the church (estimated at some 200 people) and said in Greek: “Welcome to Australia.” A couple, Mr and Mrs Xago, also conversed in Greek with the Princess (who complimented them on their “lovely boy”). The Xago’s were touched by her words and returned the compliment by praising Marina’s command of Greek after such a long absence from her homeland. In the evening, the Princess dined with, Sir Robert Menzies and his wife Pattie, at the Prime Minister’s official residence The Lodge.

The following day, the tempo increased somewhat: Princess Marina paid a visit to the Australian War Memorial to lay a wreath on the Stone of Remembrance and view the Roll of Honour. Her Royal Highness also undertook a brief drive through the ‘commercial centre’ of this city (which was actually more of a large country town of 70,000 inhabitants) where she was greeted en route at Vernon Circle by schoolchildren lining the route. However, her brief journey to her next engagement (the opening of the impressive new Defence Headquarters complex at Russell Hill) was somewhat delayed when high winds blew a piece of iron sheeting into the air close-by the royal limousine. This caused the chauffeur to swerve suddenly in order to try and avoid it. Unfortunately, the sheeting hit against the car and dented one of the doors. Marina was somewhat shaken by the incident but unhurt. Unbelievably, no sooner had the Princess arrived at the Defence Headquarters than a long piece of wooden facing, with nails still embedded in it, became dislodged from the dais canopy and tumbled to the ground just yards from where she and the official party were seated. Unperturbed (Marina’s sang-froid was duly noted) the royal guest carried on with her speech in her own unhurried style. She observed that “While we pray for peace and goodwill on this earth, we are conscious of the need for steadfastness and preparedness in a world beset by friction and conflicts.” The widowed Princess then chose to be more candid, “Twenty-six years ago my husband and I were preparing to come and live amongst you-but God willed it otherwise. But for the tragedy of war [Prince George was subsequently killed in an air accident in 1942 while on active duty with the R.A.F.]-a tragedy shared by so many Australian families-we would have become intimately familiar with this vast country and its people. My husband’s appointment as Governor-General in 1938 was a moment of great joy to us both.” Princess Marina also mentioned that she found it hard to express all she felt “in what will ever be for me a deeply memorable occasion”, adding that it had been a “privilege” to be present at such a ceremony in the changing and expanding Australian capital.

A colour image of Princess Marina from the 1960’s

In the afternoon, the Princess received Heads of the various diplomatic missions in Canberra and presided over a garden party attended by 3,500 guests at Yarralumla. The Australian press were impressed by what they described as Marina’s ‘lively interest in people’ as well as her ‘engaging manner’. The fashion commentators were in raptures over her lace-appliqued silk champagne coloured outfit offset by a hat of marabou feathers and accessorised with a massive emerald and diamond brooch. Yet the Canberra Times seemed rather unsure of the Princess’ royal pedigree and wrongly described her as ‘the daughter of King Constantine of Greece.’ Actually, she was the youngest daughter of the late King Constantine I’s younger brother, Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark.

On 29 September, Marina paid a visit to the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (W.R.A.N.S) at H.M.A.S. Harman, a communications hub where she observed operatives handling messages to naval ships off-shore. Marina was an Honorary Commandant of the Australian organisation. This engagement was much more the Princess’ “cup of tea”, for she had long held historical links with the “sister” organisation in Great Britain [the Women’s Royal Naval Service or W.R.N.S.] and currently served as the Chief Commandant. The W.R.A.N.S was formed at Harman in 1941 and the base was very much regarded as the “home” of the organisation. Before departing, Her Royal Highness inspected the W.R.A.N.S living quarters (Alexandra House) which had been opened by Princess Alexandra, during her 1959 royal tour. Thereafter, Princess Marina lunched with Commonwealth High Commissioners at Yarralumla and attended an evening reception for parliamentarians in the King’s Hall of Parliament House.

Princess Marina signs yet another visitor book during the trip.

On 30 September the Princess flew in the afternoon from Canberra to Sydney, landing at Mascot Airport at 3.30 pm prompt in a R.A.A.F. Corvair. After inspecting the Guard of Honour mounted by the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Marina also made sure to acknowledge the presence of the regimental mascot Shetland pony Septimus. From the airport Her Royal Highness drove straight to Government House and a brief visit with the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Eric Woodward. The Princess and her entourage were to stay across the harbour in the much more informal setting of Kiribilli House. Once again the fashion writers were soon busy commenting on Marina’s brocade suit and pillbox hat in a matching fabric, as she arrived for her first engagement at Sydney Town Hall, to meet 800 ‘city parliamentarians and dignitaries’. The Lord Mayor, Alderman Jensen, who greeted Her Royal Highness on arrival, seemed captivated by the royal visitor, as did the assembled crowds. Prior to entering the Town Hall, Marina made time to speak to a group of elderly people whom she noticed behind police barricades near the Town Hall entrance, before walking across George Street to greet the large crowd assembled there. This informal approach (for this was the era before “royal walkabouts”) was much commented upon. Later, the Princess entranced the waiting dignitaries inside, as she spent an hour progressing seamlessly from one group to another and ‘charming them with a mixture of down-to-earth talk.’

The following day, Princess Marina paid a four-hour visit to the British Exhibition. The objectives of the Exhibition (which complimented a “British Fortnight” currently being held in local stores and shops), was to demonstrate and strengthen the close ties which existed between Australia and Britain. After being greeted by Sir Peter Runge, the Chairman of the Exhibition, the Princess toured the Manufacturer’s Hall. Naturally, her visit caused much attention from the public. However, the press noted that despite officials panicking (and at one stage even threatening to close the exhibition during the royal visit) Her Royal Highness ‘resolutely refused to let a jostling crowd worry her.’ Instead, Marina ‘delighted the crowd with her off-beat charm,’ as she examined a pair of tables valued at £24,000 on the antiques stand of a local department store, Grace Brothers. Marina was also entranced by a Pye “manipulator” (a contraption with metal claws) which she learned could apply make-up to a lady’s face. For good measure, the Princess watched closely as the “manipulator” performed its magic, her face a study in concentration. Marina also found time to fuss over an infant who was determined to ‘see the Princess’. She also made the day of one elderly lady who asked if she would mind being photographed. Marina smiled and said “Of course not.” The only complaint came from the Princess’ security detail who said she was ‘very hard to keep track of.’ Marina’s tiring day ended with a “private” dinner given by the State Governor at Government House. However, a quick glance at the guest list reveals that her fellow diners were none other than an assorted group of local “worthies” including politicians (such as the Premier of New South Wales); members of the clergy (led by the Archbishop of Sydney); as well as the judiciary (the Chief Justice heading this section).

Princess Marina in a TV studio at the British Empire Exhibition. She is watching an coloured image of herself on a tv monitor.

On the morning of 2 October, Princess Marina presided over another important event: the opening of the new Gladesville Bridge, a six-lane bridge over Sydney’s Paramatta River. This was to replace an earlier structure from the Victorian era. The new bridge had an arch span of 1000 feet and a total length of some 1901 feet and cost £4.5million. The impressive structure linked the suburbs of Gladesville and Drummoyne. Two thousand official guests had been invited to the opening. A Guard of Honour was provided by 100 girls from the Riverside Girls’ College. Her Royal Highness not only made sure to acknowledge their presence, but made time to have a brief chat. The Princess was then greeted by the State Premier of New South Wales, Mr Renshaw and the Minister for Highways, Mr Hills. Marina was soon beckoning both of them to pull their chairs nearer to hers, the better to speak to them about the project. After making a speech, in which she praised the project as a excellent example of Australian-British partnership (the bridge was designed by a British company, Reed and Mallik) the Princess ‘snipped the ribbon with a flourish’ and declared the bridge open. She then drove over in the official limousine, stopping at the highest point to admire the view with Mr Renshaw and Mr Hill, who pointed out the old bridge below. A war widow herself, the Princess later met a group of 1000 war widows at a reception held at Sydney’s Trocadero Restaurant. Some had travelled by air to be present at the event. The press stated that the widows gave Marina ‘the most enthusiastic reception’ of her visit so far. This was unsurprising given that the Princess was the first Patron (appointed in 1948) of the The Australian War Widows Guild of Australia. This particular event had been organised by the New South Wales Guild.

Princess Marina Arrives at the Trocadero for War Widows reception.

As the visit progressed the positive plaudits continued. The Princess was ‘so charming, so interested in all she sees’ gushed the Canberra Times. A British Pathe reporter added that Marina ‘has really captured the hearts of the people of Sydney.’ Meanwhile, Marina attended the running of the Australian Jockey Club Derby at Randwick racecourse on 3 October, driving down the track in an open-topped Rolls-Royce to the delight of the 52,000 racegoers in attendance. A smaller crowd of onlookers then provided her with an informal Guard of Honour as she walked the 200 yards from her car to the Members’ Stand. The horse which won was aptly named Royal Sovereign. The prize money was an impressive (for 1964!) £7,000. Princess Marina also presented a special gold British Exhibition Cup to the winner’s owners, Mr and Mrs Angini. The Princess subsequently paid a weekend visit to the Warragamba Dam, staying at a local cottage and enjoying some relaxation as she walked through the nearby trails. She also attended Sunday morning service at the local St Paul’s Anglican Church and was pictured shaking hands with the church warden, Mr Harry Huddlestone.

Princess Marina attends an evening engagement.

Back in Sydney, Her Royal Highness attended the Anglo-Australian Tattoo at the Showground. She wore an evening dress for the occasion and it was observed that her diamond tiara and earrings sparkled as she arrived at the venue. On her final day of engagements in Sydney, 6 October, Her Royal Highness visited the New South Wales Art Gallery. She confided to the President of the Board of Trustees, Mr Eric Landker, that she painted in watercolours. The Princess also admitted that she was “not particularly attracted to abstract art”, preferring impressionism instead. However, she was keen to see some Australian artists and praised the work of William Dobell as “very strong” art. Marina was subsequently presented with a book of his works, signed by the artist himself. After visiting the gallery, Marina ventured to the up-market David Jones department store nearby to view a selection of British products on display as part of their British Fortnight event. This visit was unscheduled, but her foray into the ladies’ fashion department was widely reported in the press. The Princess then paid her second scheduled visit to the British Exhibition at the Showground. In the evening, some koala bears were brought especially from Taronga Park Zoo to Kiribilli House so that Marina could examine this marsupial in the flesh. Her schedule meant there had been no previous opportunity for Her Royal Highness to view a koala in its natural environment.

Princess Marina departs the Governor-General’s railcar at Wolloncong.

The following morning, the Princess travelled in the Governor-General’s rail car (which was attached to the rear of the South Coast Daylight Express) some 50 miles southwards to the coastal town of Wollongong, where she toured the large Australian Iron and Steel Works at Port Kembla. This final engagement proved quite a contrast with anything else Her Royal Highness had previously encountered during her visit.

The Princess departed Australia on the morning of 8 October. A crowd of 500 gathered at Mascot Airport to watch as she was given an official farewell by a naval Guard of Honour. Again the press were impressed that Marina took time to stop and speak to several of the naval ratings. They also admired the way she made a point of thanking her chauffeur for his services as she left the official limousine. As during much of the tour, the wind proved somewhat troublesome and the Princess was required to lean against the gusts as she stood on a dais during the Royal Salute. And then after kissing some of the official party (including the Prime Minister’s wife, Dame Pattie Menzies, to whom Marina had earlier given a gift of a pair of silver sugar shakers) the Princess made her way to the waiting Boeing 707 for her journey homewards via Malaysia, where she was to be the guest of the British High Commissioner, Lord Head and his wife. This stay was ‘unofficial’ according to the Canberra Times.

The Princess arrived back in Britain on 12 October to be greeted at the airport by Princess Alexandra and her husband Angus Ogilvy accompanied by Marina’s daughter-in-law, Katherine, the Duchess of Kent.

Documents in Canberra reveal that the tour cost a total of £40,050. Unsurprisingly, given the distances involved, £23,000 of this was allocated to the hiring of aircraft for travelling to, from and within Australia. Such costs came as no surprise, as the canny Australians had estimated these well in advance, even to the point of, for comparative purposes, reviewing details of the costs associated with the visits of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1963, and the Duke’s 1962 solo visit. Furthermore, nothing had been left to chance (Marina’s Private Secretary, Sir Philip Hay, a war veteran, was a stickler for detail) down to a list of ‘car door openers’ in the archives and the provision of daily weather forecasts.

Sadly, Princess Marina would die less than four years later and she was never to return to Australia. Yet her solo visit had succeeded in endearing her to the Australian people. It would also be no exaggeration to say that Prince George’s widow found a special comfort in making this trip to a land he would have served so well.

For reference: The Prime Minister’s Official tour announcement (P.M. No. 54/1964) can be found at https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00000961.pdf

The Queen’s 1954 Tour of Australia

Around 10.30am on Wednesday 3 February, Queen Elizabeth II landed ashore in the Royal Barge at Farm Cove, Sydney to be greeted by the Governor-General, Sir William Slim, Her Majesty’s Official Representative in Australia. Elizabeth was the first reigning Sovereign to pay a visit to this far-flung kingdom which had such strong ties to the United Kingdom, for Australia’s population was largely composed of people who were descended from British stock or were recent settlers from that country. Her Majesty’s subjects were certainly ready to give the demure 27-year-old Queen a rousing welcome. Over 100,000 lined the shores around Sydney Harbour to witness the royal arrival. They almost immediately fell under her charm, as Her Majesty addressed her Australian subjects, observing that ‘I am proud indeed to be at the head of a nation that has achieved so much.’ When the Royal party departed Farm Cove to make a tour of the streets of central Sydney by car, it is estimated that 1 million people out of a city population of 1.86 million lined the route of the “Royal Progress”, with crowds as many as twenty deep at times. A particularly moving moment took place in Martin Place, where the Queen stopped at the Cenotaph to lay a wreath to commemorate Australians who had answered the call from the “Old Country” (as Britain was still referred to) and given their lives, whether this be at Gallipoli or during two subsequent world wars. An editorial in an Australian paper summed-up the events succinctly: “This day is one of the most momentous in our history.”

The Queen arrives at Farm Cove, Sydney, 3 February 1954

The Queen was scheduled to spend ten days in the State of New South Wales (NSW). Most of the time she and the Duke of Edinburgh were based at Government House in Sydney. From there the royals ventured out to carry out an eclectic mix of engagements throughout the State, some by plane due to the huge distances involved. The first engagement, however, only involved a car ride up the hill when, on 4 February, the Queen opened the Third Session of the thirty-seventh Parliament of New South Wales. From the royal throne in the Legislative Council Chamber she addressed both Houses, stating “This is the first occasion on which the Sovereign has been able to open a session of an Australian parliament. It is most fitting that this should take place in the Mother Parliament of Australia which had its birth over one hundred and thirty years ago..” In the evening Her Majesty donned an evening gown of golden tulle embroidered with sprays of wattle (Australia’s national flower) to attend a State Banquet given by the State of New South Wales in the ballroom of a local department store. Next day, Her Majesty and the Duke were greeted by 100,000 military veterans at a gathering at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, the Queen stopping to observe the tasteful Pool of Remembrance. The royal duo subsequently were feted by 120,000 schoolchildren at three large gatherings arranged at different locations throughout the city, including the Sydney Oval, Centennial Park and the Showground. That evening was the Lord Mayor’s Ball but the Queen seemed to be tired and only remained for an hour. A crowd of 120,000 waited outside the Town Hall to see her and an estimated 2,000 had to be treated after collapsing in the pushing throngs. On the Saturday, the royal couple watched a display of life saving at Bondi Beach and travelled out to Randwick race course for an afternoon at the races, to the Queen’s obvious delight. The day ended with a gala concert at the Tivoli Theatre. However, there was no rest on the Sunday as the royal party attended morning service at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Fortunately, Monday 8 February was free of engagements.

The Queen opens the State Parliament of New South Wales, Sydney, 4 February 1954

On 9 February, the royal tour moved out of Sydney when the royals made a three-hour afternoon visit to Newcastle on the East coast of NSW. They travelled the 100 miles by train (the royal duo spending most of the journey on the rear observation platform). On arrival, they visited the City Hall for a formal welcome, met veterans and war widows at No 1. Sports Ground and were later greeted by 35,000 schoolchildren at the Showground. A choir of 500 provided a rousing rendition of the National Anthem; while others formed a tableau marking out the message: “Welcome to Our Gracious Queen”. The Queen and the Duke then toured the Broken Hill Steel Foundry at Stockton and talked to some of the workers, before flying north, some 360 miles, to Lismore to spend the night in a local hotel. In the morning, Her Majesty drove in the rain to an engagement at the town’s Oakes Oval.

Having visited the West Coast, the focus shifted to the Central West of NSW: At Dubbo, in the Orana region of the state, which was reached by air, the itinerary for the two-hour afternoon royal visit included attendance at the Dubbo Agricultural Show (which had been moved from its usual May date to coincide with the royal visit) when the royal party were treated to a display of woodchopping and a sheep shearing contest at the Showground. Yet, for small towns such as this, the burden of a royal visit was bittersweet as the costs involved were decidedly onerous. Indeed, £3650 was spent on this visit (not including decorations and civic expenses) but fortunately contributions towards defraying these costs were made by around twenty neighbouring municipalities. Over the next few days the Queen and her husband paid visits to Wollongong, Bathurst and Lithgow, returning from the latter via Katoomba to view the splendour of the Blue Mountains before descending to Sydney by train. Then it was time to take to the air to fly to Wagga, on 13 February, where the town was holding a Saturday gala day or “bushland carnival” during which the royal party viewed a boomerang throwing display.

The Queen attends an agricultural show at Dubbo, NSW
The Queen and the Duke on the Royal Train at Bathurst during a day spent in rural NSW.

The day ended with the Queen’s arrival in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). She attended morning service on the Sunday at St John’s Church and later went privately (with the Duke at the wheel) for an afternoon drive through the Murrumbidgee Valley to visit a “show station”. However, Monday, 16 February was a busy day of engagements including an investiture at Yarralumla, the Queen’s residence in the capital, followed by the State Opening of the Federal Parliament which took place in the Senate Chamber of Parliament House, Her Majesty wearing her coronation dress and the star and ribbon of Order of the Garter for this momentous occasion, complimented by the sparkling Russian Kokoshnik tiara, a silver wedding gift to the late Queen Alexandra. Her Majesty and the Duke then took to a dais outside Parliament to review a march past by the 6,000 men of the Australian armed forces, some of whom were cadets from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. All of the Service Chiefs joined Her Majesty on the platform. That night Her Majesty attended a State Banquet at Parliament House with the finest of foods flown in from around Australia; lobsters from South Australia, oysters from northern New South Wales, Mildura Murray cod from Victoria, strawberries from Tasmania, and suckling pigs from the capital territory itself. The Queen also fitted in visits to Duntroon to present the Colour bearing her cipher to the Corps of Staff Cadets, presided over a Royal Garden Party for 3,000 at Yarralumla, laid a wreath at the Australian National War Memorial and unveiled a 220-foot high Australian National Memorial to the United States, many of whose military personnel had come to Australia’s aid in wartime. A 38-foot eagle surmounted the aluminium shaft of the monument.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the State Opening of the Federal Parliament, Canberra 1954

The royal visitors departed Canberra on 18 February and travelled by air to Sydney where the Queen and Duke presided over yet another Royal Garden Party (this time for 8000 guests) at Government House. At 5.30pm the royal party departed Government House to embark the SS Gothic (the vessel used during the Queen’s Commonwealth tour) at West Circular Quay. This “Royal Yacht” was to transport them to Hobart in Tasmania which was reached on 20 February. Two ships of the Royal Australian Navy, H.M.A.S. Australia and H.M.A.S. Anzac provided a royal escort.

On the first day of the visit to Tasmania Her Majesty and the Duke were greeted by a small flotilla of local sailing craft and crowds at Battery Point as they sailed down the River Derwent to their ship’s berth at Prince’s Wharf. After settling-in at Government House, the royal couple undertook a series of engagements which included a Children’s Rally at the North Hobart Oval, a visit to the Repatriation General Hospital for Servicemen, followed by a commemorative tree-planting at Anglesea Barracks. Her Majesty then unveiled a Sesquicentenary Memorial at Victoria Dock watched over by a crowd of 10,000. This monument commemorates the founding of Hobart in February 1804 by Lieut.-Colonel David Collins of the Royal Marines. In the evening, the royal duo were the guests of honour at a State Reception at the City Hall. The following morning, the royal party attended the Sunday service at St David’s Cathedral, the rest of the day being left free to allow for some rest and recuperation. 22 February, however, brought forth a busy schedule: the Queen opened Parliament, held an investiture which lasted some thirty minutes, attended the third Royal Garden Party of the royal tour at Government House and presided over a State Ball at City Hall. For this occasion, Her Majesty wore a gown of lilac organdie offset by a sapphire and diamond necklace, a diamond bow brooch and Queen Alexandra’s tiara.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh acknowledge the cheers from the crowds during their visit to Hobart.

On 23 February, the royalties undertook a tour of much of the north of the island, flying by air to Wynyard in North Tasmania and driving through the towns of Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport to Cressy, where the royal party spent the night on a sheep farm belonging to a Mrs O’ Connor. All along the route children were waiting to greet the royal cavalcade with bunches of flowers, flag-waving and the singing of patriotic songs. The following morning, the Queen and the Duke paid a visit to Launceston, the second largest town of the island, where they attended a civic reception and were feted by a crowd said to number 75,000.

On 24 February the royal party flew from Launceston to Melbourne to begin the tour of the State of Victoria. It was estimated that 750,000 people lined the 11-mile route from the Essendon Aerodrome to Victoria’s Parliament House, where Her Majesty met officials of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, before travelling on to the Town Hall to be greeted by the Lord Mayor. Then it was off to Government House, the largest and most magnificent royal residence in Australia, where the royal party would make their base for this portion of the tour. The following afternoon the Queen returned to Parliament House to open the Second Session of the thirty-ninth Parliament of Victoria in the Legislative Council Chamber. This event was followed by a gathering of 70,000 military veterans at Melbourne Cricket Ground during which those gathered serenaded Her Majesty with a rousing rendition of “Waltzing Matilda”. The day ended with a State Ball hosted by the Governor, Sir Dallas Brooks, in the enormous ballroom (10-feet longer than that at Buckingham Palace) at Government House.

The Queen opens the State Parliament of Victoria in the Legislative Council Chamber, Melbourne.

On 26 February, the royal party flew briefly into South Australia for a visit to Mount Gambier where the Queen and Duke were introduced to a twelve-foot-long carpet snake. Then the royal plane landed at Kanawalla to allow the royal visitors to make a two-hour visit to Hamilton, where a crowd of 13,000 gathered to give Her Majesty a right royal welcome. The Queen and the Duke made a circuit of the Melville Oval in a specially adapted open Land Rover to greet local children. They returned to Melbourne that evening by air. The following day was mostly given up to a race meeting at Flemington Racecourse at which The Queen Elizabeth Stakes was run. The race was won by a horse, Cromis, soon to be dubbed “Australia’s best horse”, the sire of whom, Helois, had been bred and raced by the Queen’s late father, King George VI. After a brief visit to a Davis Cup tennis event at Kooyong, a State Banquet took place in the imposing Exhibition Centre, at which the Queen was presented with a rose bowl made of gold from Victoria by the State Premier. And so the tour progressed with the familiar attendance at a Sunday church service at St Paul’s Cathedral; this was immediately followed by a visit to the impressive Shrine of Remembrance to allow the Queen to dedicate new additions which had recently been made to the memorial.

The Queen presents a silver salver at the Davis Cup tennis tournament in Melbourne.

Thereafter the Melbourne days passed amid a flurry of events including a theatre visit, a Women’s Lunch at St Kilda Town Hall, a State Ball and a Royal Garden Party (the fourth of the tour). On 3 March the royal party spent the day in the Gippsland area of Victoria, flying first into the town of Sale and then proceeding by rail back to Melbourne via Traralgon, Yallourn and Warragul. The day (which included a visit to a giant open-cast coal mine) was long and the royal train, which slowed down frequently where groups of onlookers had gathered, did not arrive back until well after 7pm at Flinders Station. The Queen, however, was up bright and early next day to hold an investiture at Government House and a make a return visit to the Cricket Ground to meet local schoolchildren. Also present were 54 members of the Welsh Corgi Club of Victoria who proudly introduced their dogs to Her Majesty, who was a well-known owner and devotee of this breed. After a visit to the Repatriation Hospital, the Queen and Duke embarked a Royal train for an extensive tour over two days (5-6 March) of country areas of Victoria. Towns visited included Benalla, Shepparton, Tatura, Echuca, Rochester, Bendingo, Maryborough, Ballarat and Geelong. However, a localised polio outbreak caused last-minute changes in the schedule, such that the royal party was unable to leave the train at Castlemaine, at the urging of health officials. Locals had to be satisfied by a view of the Queen passing through and waving from an observation platform. Yet, this did not deter a 101-year-old lady being presented to Her Majesty at another stop en route. Saturday evening and all-day Sunday were spent in the Lake O’Shannassy mountain resort near Warburton. The Queen and Duke’s only foray was to attend the Sunday service at the local Presbyterian Church of St Andrews. On Monday 8 March, the royal entourage entrained to travel back to Melbourne to attend a State Reception for 8,000 guests at the Exhibition Centre. Twenty-two choirs joined together to sing a variety of tunes, while a dance band soon had many taking to the floor (when they were not partaking of the magnificent buffet). It was the final engagement in the State of Victoria.

The Queen mounts the stairs of her Qantas Airways Constellation.

The following morning the royal party boarded a specially adapted (half the seats had been removed to make a sort of flying royal drawing room) Constellation aircraft operated by Qantas at Essendon Aerodrome to fly up in to Brisbane in Queensland. The royal entourage touched down at Eagle Farm Airport, Brisbane to be greeted by the Premier of Queensland, Mr V.C. Gair at the start of nine-day tour of the State. En route to Government House, the Queen and the Duke attended a Civic Reception at the Exhibition Ground and laid a wreath at the circular Shrine of Remembrance in the city centre. Later, there was a State Reception in the former Legislative Council Chamber, the Upper House having been abolished in 1922. The temperature in Brisbane was much warmer, the humidity more intense, than in the South. After a night’s rest at Government House, the Queen and Duke were back on duty to attend a weekday service of morning prayer at St. John’s Cathedral. Then it was onwards to Parliament House where Her Majesty held an investiture. This event was followed by a Parliamentary luncheon. The afternoon schedule was interrupted when a four-year-old girl managed to climb up to the Royal Dias, during a children’s event at the Exhibition Ground, and threw her arms around the Queen who, although taken by surprise, smiled graciously. The child was quickly removed by a royal detective and returned to the care of her mortified mother. The Queen’s personal detective, Chief Inspector T. J. Clark and his colleagues were concerned enough by the incident to undertake a review of royal security to ensure that this did not happen again. Other events in Brisbane included a Civic Ball at City Hall on the evening of 10 March. Intriguingly, in the corner of the ballroom, eight koala bears clung precariously to what was described as a “simulated gum tree.” The royal couple seemed transfixed by this spectacle. The following day there was a royal awayday by air northwards to Bundaberg (where the Queen sensibly made use of a parasol to ward off the rays of the midday sun) and thence southwards by air to Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, where a group of indigenous people from the Northern Territory (which the Queen was unable to visit due to time constraints) performed intricate dances. The press noted that some people had travelled for hours by truck or bus or car from the outback to get a glimpse of Her Majesty that day. A group of bystanders informed a press reporter that they had waited eight hours under a camphor laurel with green ants biting their legs!

The Queen accepts a bouquet in Brisbane outside City Hall.

On 12 March, the royal party departed Government House and flew in the Qantas Constellation to Garbutt Airport, Townsville. Again, north Queenslanders had travelled for hundreds of miles to catch a personal glimpse of their Queen, many of whom lined Flinders Street. One of the largest events was a civic gathering of 7,000 at the Townsville Sports Reserve where 4500 children formed a tableau stating “Welcome To Townsville”; while others formed the Australian Coat of Arms. The Queen and the Duke toured the Reserve in an open Land Rover as temperatures soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They were also introduced to a holder of the Victoria Cross (Lt. Colonel Murray) and watched a dancing display by Palm Islanders. The royal duo took a chance to view the town’s Olympic size swimming pool as they journeyed along the Strand which runs adjacent to the seafront. Standing off-shore was the SS Gothic, which was waiting to transport the royal party by sea to Cairns, some 200 miles to the north.

When the Royal party steamed into Cairns, the northern-most point of the Royal tour, on 13 March, they transferred to H.M.A.S Anzac which brought the them into the wharf. In addition to locals, they were greeted with a Guard of Honour, according to the press formed by “Torres Straits [Islands] Chiefs.” Also nearby were “members of former head-hunting tribes from New Guinea.” Unfortunately, there was a mishap when two of the stands, holding some five hundred persons, collapsed during the Civic Reception at Parramatta Park. Her Majesty was “distressed” to witness this scene, but apart from some minor cuts and abrasions, and a possible fractured ankle requiring a hospital visit, no major injuries occurred. The Queen was subsequently given a model sailing ketch to take home as a gift to Prince Charles as she toured an exhibition of “native crafts” which were reported to be worth between £15,000 and £20,000. The Queen and the Duke later visited the cruiser, H.M.A.S. Australia which, along with the Anzac, was to escort the SS Gothic southwards to the town of Mackay, where the Mayor had controversially chosen his own granddaughter (who did not live in the town) to present the royal bouquet. Thereafter, the royal party flew some two hundred miles south to Rockhampton to be treated to what local media described as “an imposing afternoon tea,” with several cakes baked in the shape of royal crowns, studded with sweets (to simulate jewels) and sandwiches cut in the shape of maps of Queensland and Australia. In the evening, the Queen and the Duke flew down to Brisbane-a distance of four hundred miles-in the sure knowledge that the following day had been left free of engagements. This break was necessary as the heat, humidity combined with the busy schedule had taken their toll on the resilient monarch, who was subsequently pictured wiping her forehead during a march past of 17,000 ex-servicemen at the Exhibition Ground, on the last full day of engagements in the State capital. Yet, by that evening, Her Majesty dazzled at a Governor’s Reception in the grounds of Government House.

On 18 March the royal party departed Brisbane by air for Adelaide and the beginning of the tour of South Australia. En route, they made a scheduled stop for a “150 minute visit” to the inland, geographically-isolated, mining city of Broken Hill, NSW where the Queen and her entourage were piped off the plane as they landed at 2pm. It was estimated that the crowd of 40,000 included many outbackers from the surrounding area. Her Majesty and the Duke made use of a more humble Humber Super Snipe for the Royal Progress to the civic reception at North Park. During a subsequent visit to the Flying Doctor base, the Queen inspected an ambulance plane and made a brief speech which was carried by Flying Doctor Network radio throughout the outback.

Crowds await the Queen’s arrival at Parafield Airport, Adelaide.

The royal entourage later flew in to Adelaide’s Parafield Airport which was reached in the evening, thirty minutes behind schedule. They were greeted by the Governor, Sir Robert George and his wife, Lady George. All along the ten-mile route to Government House, crowds strained for a glimpse of the royal visitors. The following day, there was an official Royal Progress by limousine through the city. The streets were filled with around 300,000 cheering, flag-waving onlookers, whilst others leaned out of balconies or windows which were decorated with streamers and banners in patriotic colours of red, white and blue. At the Town Hall the Lord Mayor, Mr Rymill, presided over the ceremony of welcome for the royals. The Queen made a brief speech, but seemed somewhat distracted by a piece of grit in her eye. This was later moved with the deft use of a handkerchief. The royal party then progressed to the State War Memorial to lay a wreath. Meanwhile diligent Girl Guides could be found lining the route at Victoria Square to give some semblance of order. In the afternoon, the Queen and her husband drove out from Government House to the Morphetville Racecourse to view the running of the Queen Elizabeth Cup. This event was organised by the South Australian Jockey Club. However, the 3,000 racegoers seemed to prefer looking directly at Her Majesty, rather than in the direction of the action on the turf. Thereafter, the royal duo travelled to the Adelaide Oval to watch a specially organised Country v City cricket match. Otherwise, it has to be said that many of the arrangements almost replicated what had occurred in the other State capitals and included, on 23 March, the Queen opening South Australia’s State Parliament, followed by her and the Duke’s attendance at a gathering of schoolchildren at Wayville Oval. In the evening, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were present at a State Banquet at Parliament House. Nonetheless, the organisers of this leg also ensured that the Queen and the Duke undertook several day trips from Adelaide to various South Australian towns including, on 20 March, Whyalla (where indigenous dancers performed a corroboree) and Port Lincoln. This was followed by a trip westwards to Renmark and Wildura on 25 March. The latter town was actually situated over the state line in Victoria, but like Renmark, it was situated on the Murray River, and the Queen had made an express wish to view the Murray Valley Irrigation Project. She also found time to visit a local vineyard. Somehow, an investiture, a Woman’s Lunch, a Lord Mayor’s Garden Party (held at Elder Park) and an evening visit to a Royal Music Festival at Wayville Oval were slotted into the schedule on 24 March. At the Music Festival, the Queen sported a magnificent green-fire Andamooka opal pendant set in diamonds-the opal weighing a massive 203 carats. This pendant necklace-along with a matching pair of drop earrings-was a gift from the government of South Australia.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during their Royal Progress through the streets of Adelaide.
The Andamooka Opal Pendant Necklace and Earrings-the official gift of the State of South Australia in 1954

On 22 March, the Duke of Edinburgh made a three-hundred-mile journey by air, to enjoy a five-hour visit to the Woomera “secret” rocket range. For lunch he was served kangaroo tail soup! The Queen, by contrast, enjoyed a quiet day at Government House, doubtless attending to correspondence. However, she had an unexpected visit from the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, who flew in from Tasmania (where he had been vacationing), seeking a royal audience to discuss the serious polio outbreak in Western Australia (some of the press had stated that this final leg of the royal tour might be cancelled). After discussions with Her Majesty and royal officials, Mr Menzies issued a statement which clarified that the tour to Western Australia would continue, with adaptations (the Queen and the royal party would live aboard the Gothic, indoor functions would mostly be cancelled or held outdoors, and the shaking of hands would not be permitted).

On 26 March, the final leg of the Royal Tour of Australia began when the Queen and the Duke flew via Kalgoorlie and Boulder to Perth, the State Capital of Western Australia. It was 6.25pm when the royal party arrived at Perth Airport. Following a brief welcome from the Governor, Sir Charles Gairdner and a crowd of 2,000 onlookers, the royal party drove around seventeen miles to Fremantle to board the SS Gothic, their base during this leg of the visit. The wellbeing of the royal party, due to the current polio outbreak in Western Australia, was paramount. As a precaution, the local press noted that “no local stores” had been taken aboard the Gothic. Rather food and water had been brought in from “eastern states”. When the royal party were resting between engagements at Government House in Perth, food was to be prepared and transported there by road from the Gothic in a refrigerated ice-cream van with a police escort. Then the “royal staff”, as opposed to local staff, were to handle and serve it to the royal couple. Cutlery and linen were also brought from the Gothic for use at Government House. Another precaution to be taken was that any officials greeting Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were required to remain at a distance of six feet.

The Queen, the Duke and royal cavalcade travel through Claremont, a suburb of Perth WA

With such safeguards in place, the Queen and Duke carried on with their official programme starting at 10am on 27 March, a Saturday, with a car journey up the crowd-lined Canning Highway from Fremantle to Perth’s Government House where a meeting of the Executive Council was held. Subsequently, the Queen and the Duke toured the streets of Perth city centre, stopping en route at the War Memorial in King’s Park to lay a wreath. After a public welcome ceremony at the Esplanade-involving sixteen bands and 6,000 war veterans-the royal party returned to Government House to meet tour officials. Later, the Queen held an investiture and attended an outdoor Parliamentary Reception at Parliament House, before returning to the Gothic for the night. Sunday was free of engagements so a welcome rest was possible, the only “interruption” being a Sunday church service conducted aboard the Gothic by the Archbishop of Perth, Dr Moline. However, on Monday, the pace quickened with a visit to the University of Western Australia, a march past by 10,000 youth belonging to clubs affiliated with the National Fitness Council, a Royal Garden Party at Government House (with carefully “roped laneways” to keep crowds at length), followed by an evening at a trotting meeting at Gloucester Park. There were also the usual awaydays (to Busselton and Albany in the south by air on 30 March, as well as by road eastwards to Northam and York the following day).

At the close of the tour, 1 April, the Queen and the Duke held a gathering to bid farewell to tour officials at Government House. In the afternoon, they also attended a Civic Reception at Fremantle Oval. 100,000 people had earlier lined the verges of the Stirling Highway all the way from Perth down to Fremantle. Meanwhile, Federal officials, including the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies and the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Evatt had arrived in Fremantle to bid their Sovereign a fond farewell. They were joined by the Governor-General, who was the last person to accompany Her Majesty and the Duke to the bottom of the gangplank of the “Royal Yacht”. His Excellency then gave the royal couple a stiff military salute, surely fitting for a retired Field Marshal. The press noted that the Queen was wearing a magnificent diamond wattle brooch in her lapel (valued, according to press sources, at £25,000) which was the the State Gift from the Government and People of Australia. The Queen’s farewell message, broadcast as she departed Fremantle, in the evening, to the cheers of 40,000 onlookers (many of whom sang the words of “Auld Lang Syne”) included these touching words, “With the sounds of departure still ringing in our ears I want to say to you, my Australian people, how sad we are to be leaving the shores of your wonderful land”. As the Gothic departed the port, vessels at neighbouring wharfs sounded their sirens in a farewell salute. Guns boomed in a Royal Salute as the royal vessel moved through the harbour entrance to the open sea. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh stoically remained on deck till the shores of Australia disappeared into the horizon.

It was estimated that around 75% of the population of Australia had at least caught a glimpse of their monarch during the tour, a feat which would be unparalleled in the future. The Queen had travelled 10,000 miles by air in Australia, as well as 2,000 miles by road, much of it in Daimler limousines including a DE 36 Landaulette. The balance of the tour was undertaken by train or by sea in the SS Gothic.

The Queen would return as many as 15 times to Australia, but nothing could ever recapture the wonderful events of that first royal tour of 1954.