PICTORIAL PARADE 15: ROYAL TOUR SPECIAL

FIJIAN WELCOME: The Queen and Prince Phillip arrive in Fiji, never before has a reigning monarch visited the islands. The Queen is attended by Lady Pamela Mountbatten and the couple are escorted by the Governor, Sir Ronald Garvey. The Queen meets Captain Peter Frank, Captain of the Guard, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Suva. A huge tapa cloth is laid out across Albert park where the couple watch traditional ceremonies and dances, including the whale tooth and kava ceremonies. The new Central Medical School is opened and the Queen visits Fiji’s first secondary school for girls and New Zealand Head Mistress, Miss Charlton. Boys from Queen Victoria College follow on from the girls’ dance display.

240 torch bearers escort the royal couple to the state ball where they sit “side by side, man and wife in all their happiness.” The next morning they are officially welcomed in the chamber, the Queen makes a speech and performs an investiture . They visit Lautoka and Mayor JA Adams, before taking the flying boat Aotearoa II to Tonga.

WEEKEND IN TONGA: Queen Salote Tupou III and Crown Prince Tungi greet the royal couple. The Queen inspects the Tongan Royal Guard and watches dancing and feasting. A long tapa carpet is layed out leading to the feast table. The next day, she attends a church service and meets the Australian minister, Rev AE McKay.