User:Underwaterbuffalo/Other/Royal family visits to British Hong Kong

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Chinese triumphal arch with decorations, in honour of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's visit in 1869. He was the first member of the British royal family to visit the Crown Colony.
Queen's Road with decorations for H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's visit in 1869.
Stone laid at St. John's Cathedral by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh on November 16th, 1869.

There were two visits by a reigning British monarch to British Hong Kong (1842-1997), both by Queen Elizabeth II: in May 1975 and in October 1986.

The list of British Royal family visits to British Hong Kong (1842-1997) includes:

Pre-WWII[edit]

1940s[edit]

  • 1946: Lord Mountbatten [3]
    • Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, makes a tour of inspection of Army and Royal Marine Commando units in Hong Kong.

1950s[edit]

Foundation stone of Macpherson Stadium laid by Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent October 30, 1952
    • SCMP article [4]
In March 1959, the Duke of Edinburgh came to Hong Kong on a two-day visit, arriving from Singapore on the Royal Yacht Britannia, escorted by both Britain's Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy.
On March 6, 1959, the South China Morning Post's headline read: "Colony Awaits The Duke. Princely Welcome Prepared for royal Visitor."
On this visit to the then colony, Prince Philip laid the foundation stone at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon. [7 March 1959][8]
"I'm looking forward to laying the foundation stone of the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital," he said in a televised address to Hong Kong. "Of course, I would like to have opened the hospital instead, but I gather there wasn't quite enough time, even at Hong Kong building speeds, to get it up for this occasion," he joked.
That same day he also attended a garden party at Government House, the residence of the then Hong Kong Governor Sir Robert Black. Later, in the evening, he attended a Chinese dinner, about which he later remarked that he had "particularly enjoyed renewing my rather limited acquaintance with Chinese food".
On March 8, 1959, the Post reported that the duke had boarded a helicopter with the governor at Kai Tak Airport to view the city from the air. "He had to cut the scheduled length of time because he had overstayed at the Technical College at Hung Hom and had to attend a football match later," the report noted.
On his way to Kai Tak, he sat in an open-top car that drove down Nathan Road where crowds stood lining the street to wave and get a glimpse of the prince.
On March 9, 1959, the Post reported the duke's farewell message to Hong Kong, sent from the royal yacht, which said: "I take away with me a lasting memory of the cheerful kindness and hospitality of the people of Hong Kong."
Nevertheless, it was not Prince Philip's first time to Hong Kong, as he recalled on a television broadcast during his visit. He had been in the territory once before in 1945. On March 7, 1959, the Post quoted the duke as saying: "The last time I was here was in 1945, September or October, I think. Admiral Harcourt had arrived only a few weeks before so I saw the place as it emerged from the Japanese occupation.
"I remember particularly the evening after the instrument of surrender was signed – the display of fireworks and crackers was magnificent. It was a real pleasure letting them off and I think the people's spirits went up with the rockets. These were the first celebrations of peace I'd taken part in and they made a very deep impression."
He returned to Hong Kong on a royal visit with his wife Queen Elizabeth in 1975, and came again on March 24, 1981, on his way back from a trip to Australia. He was greeted at the airport by then Governor Sir Murray MacLehose and acting director of protocol, Lawrence Pottinger.
While in Hong Kong he opened The Prince Philip Dental Hospital and paid a private visit to the Queen's Own Highlanders infantry regiment, which was stationed in the territory at the time, and of which he was colonel-in-chief.
He visited once more in 1983 as president of the WWF, where he visited the Mai Po Nature Reserve and later unveiled a plaque at the Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp in Tai Po. He came back in the same capacity for the WWF in 1988 and 1990. (He opened the WWF Hong Kong Central Visitor Centre on November 15, 1990. See plaque)
In 1991, one of his last visits was to attend an annual forum organised by the Duke of Edinburgh Award International Association.
    • Hong Kong - Duke in the Far East.[5]
Victoria, Hong Kong.
General view of crowds assembling in the Star Ferry Car Park and on balconies around the area. C/U Chinese boy. L/S of Royal yacht HMY Britannia anchored with the royal barge approaching the Queen's Pier with the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip) on board. The Prince steps onto landing stage from launch and is greeted by the Governor, Sir Robert Black. General view Guard of Honour of three services lined up in Square. The Prince inspects them.
Chinese crowds run across roadway to cheer the Duke as he drives away in open car (Statue Square), waving to people. Street scenes (Des Voeux Road Central) showing tram cars and modern buildings. Chinese people look at portrait of Duke in shop window. Chinese children skipping on pavement. Chinese street and shops bedecked with Chinese and British flags, pan to a group of Chinese children (mostly boys) laughing and pulling faces into the camera. Chinese suburb and market. Zoom in to C/U of small Chinese girl with baby slung on her back.
General views at night of shops and archway illuminated. Shop front with the Royal insignia and crown illuminated in glass case, also showing portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh. Illuminated shops and signs at night; one reads 'Russian Restaurant'.
Exterior of Government House. Crowds of people wander around the grounds. High angle shot of Prince Philip speaking to people in the crowd. Women wearing cheongsam dresses with split skirts. Prince Philip chats to the crowd and points at people, seemingly making a joke.
  • Additional video: [6]
  • Better video: [7]

1960s[edit]

During her visit to Hong Kong in 1961, Princess Alexandra greets Cantonese opera performers Yam Kim-fai and Bak Sheut-sin after their performance of The Romance of the White Snake
  • Hong Kong Welcome to Princess [10]
Top shot of Hong Kong and harbour. Junks and fishing boats in harbour. Archway being prepared for the Princess. Waterfront (Central) and downtown streets. Chinese signs. A Chinese woman reads a Western paper South China Morning Post. Chinese people shopping and preparing [street] food. BOAC arrives [at Kai Tak Airport] and is met by Sir Robert Black. He introduces Alexandra to his wife Lady Black. She boards boat and is taken into the harbour. She is taken to Queen's Pier. Chinese women in slit skirts hurry to meet her. Water front scenes and gun salutes as she arrives. Top shot as she drives under the arch. Shots of her waving from the car. Top shot of masses in Statue Square and walking the streets.
  • Princess Sees Hong Kong [11]
WS Victoria Harbour. Ext. Government House, the Princess and the Governor walk in the garden. Photographers take pictures. She meets students on the roof of Hong Kong University. Top shot of Kowloon (actually view from Victoria Peak toward Kowloon across the harbour). Long line of official cars drive her to the New Territories, waving Chinese line the route. [A banner reads "S.K.H. St. Christopher's Home (Tai Po) welcomes Princess Alexandra" (see also [12])] In the small town of San Wai, she is entertained by a regiment of the Gurkha's and children dance for her Nepalese style. She visits Shek Kong and the married quarters of the Gurkha's where she looks at babies. Next stop Pat Heung and the Chinese lion dance and Gong hitting.
  • H.R.H. Sees Hong Kong By Night [13]
Mass of street lights in Victoria. The Princess is escorted to the Sea Palace Floating Restaurant. Well lit and reflecting the water. She is hand paddled in a san pan to the restaurant. She walks across a red carpeted bridge to choose fish from the water. CU fish in net. A massive cray Fish is held up. Sir Michael Turner and Sir Sik Nin Chow (?) former Industrialist sit with the Princess for dinner. The "Princess was no stranger to chop sticks". She attends a Chinese Opera at the Lee Theatre. The troop put on a flag waving dance for her.
  • Farewell to Hong Kong [14]
WS of boats at The Aberdeen Fish Market. Pathe cameraman Ken Godard films from a junk. The Princess arrives as the Chinese look on in silence. Shots of different junks pass by. She then arrives at Stanley and walks amongst crowds holding British flags. Next day at the Governor's Fanling Lodge She meets officials. WS of the Lok Ma Chau Police Station. She looks at a relief map of the frontier with China. With police Commissioner Heath she looks across open land to China. This is 1 of 12 observation posts on the frontier. She looks across with binoculars. Zoom out from shanty town of So Uk. WS of white high rise new settlements buildings . Objects and food stuff fill the high rise balcony's. The Princess walks down steps past waving crowds. More shots of the new buildings and children playing on a globe climbing frame. Good CU's of Chinese people. The new So Uk North Government Primary School with a mass of children waving UK flags as Alexandra waves back from a balcony.
  • 'Buy British' Royal Boost 1966 [19]
  • GV. Princess Margaret addressing gathering at engineering exhibition during British Week in Hong Kong. SV. Princess speaking. SV. Crowd applauding. LV. Princess Margaret leaving stage to walk around. LV. Pan, Princess Margaret walking through exhibition. SV. Cutaway model of Mini, & CU. LV. The Princess Margaret looking at model of town development, & CU. CU. Pan, the model. SV. Pan, Princess Margaret walking through exhibition.
  • GV. Crowd lining street outside the Lee Theatre in Hong Kong. CU. Woman with baby on her back. SV. The front of the theatre with large illuminated sign reading 'Welcome to H.R.H. Princess Margaret & Lord Snowdon'. LV. Pan as the Princess' car arrives. SV. Children applauding wildly, & CU. SV. Pan as Princess Margaret walks up steps into theatre escorted by the Governor. SV. Princess walks into theatre. LV. Group of Chinese girls on steps curtsey. LV. Princess Margaret and her husband Lord Snowdon (Anthony Armstrong Jones) watching the traditional Hong Kong opera. GV. Zoom in to opera performance in progress, & LV. LV. Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon watching. GV. The principal artists come down gangway to meet Princess Margaret. SV. As they stand in front of the Princess Margaret in colourful traditional costumes. LV. Princess Margaret talking to the actors. CU. Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon.
    Princess Margaret And Lord Snowdon Arrive In Hong Kong (1966) [20]
  • V.S. Shop windows with displays for 'British Week'. V.S. Scenes of Hong Kong Harbour as fireboats send their sprays into the air, guns fire salute from quay (very dark shots). VS WS Princess Margaret inspecting Guard of Honour. VS Princess Margaret's car drives past large crowds. M.V. Sign "Hong Kong" on airport building with people lining the rails. V.S. B.O.A.C. Cunard, Boeing 707 taxiing in. Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon walking down steps and greeted by the Governor Sir David Trench and Lady Trench and other V.I.P.s.
    Princess Margaret And Lord Snowdon Arrive In Hong Kong AKA Royal Arrival In Hong Kong (1966) [21]
  • LS BOAC Cunard Boeing 707 approaching very low over the city and landing at Hong Kong Airport, good shot. VS Crowds watching. CU Photographers with long lenses. LS and MS Boeing taxiing with the harbour in background. MV Princess Margaret and her husband, Lord Snowdon, walk down steps and are greeted by Sir David and Lady Trench and reception committee. VS Crowd shots at airport. CU Sign: BOAC Cunard on side of plane. MS Double decker bus on Hong Kong streets. MS War memorial pan to street. VS Street decorations around Hong Kong, the letter "M" for Margaret with a crown above it. VS Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon with Sir David and Lady Trench leave a launch at Queens Pier and the Princess receives some flowers from a young girl. VS The Princess inspecting a naval Guard of Honour. VS The Princess and Lord Snowdon are then presented to a long line of V.I.P.s. The Royal party leave by car and arrive at another building where crowds have gathered to greet them.
  • Nairn Road (楠道) was renamed Princess Margaret Road to commemorate this visit

1970s[edit]

1972 Plaque to commemorate the completion of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Princess Alexandra
1975 plaque at Hung Hom Station. Queen Elizabeth II

1980s[edit]

1980 Plaque at Central Station (MTR), Princess Alexandra
1986 Plaque at Police Officers' Club, Princess Alexandra
1988 plaque at Tuen Mun Ferry Pier Stop, Princess Anne.
1989 plaque at Lam Tin Station. Prince of Wales
1989 plaque near the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Prince of Wales

1990s[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ King George V at gwulo.com
  2. ^ Cook, Andrew (2006). Prince Eddy: The King Britain Never Had. Tempus Publishing. pp. 70–72. ISBN 978-0752434100.
  3. ^ The cruise of Her Majesty's ship "Bacchante", 1879-1882 vol.2, pp 206-267 [1]
  4. ^ a b Wordie, Jason (18 April 1999). "Land-grabbing titans who changed HK's profit for good". The Standard. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  5. ^ Ko Shing Theatre at cinematreasures.org
  6. ^ Ko Shing Theatre at cinematreasures.org
  7. ^ a b c d "Asian visits". The Royal Yacht Britannia. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Duke lays foundation stone of Orient's largest hospital". South China Sunday Post – Herald. Hong Kong. 8 March 1959. p. 1.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Dignitaries Visiting Public Housing Estates in Earlier Years". Hong Kong Housing Authority. 1 November 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Hong Kong Tunnel Opened". AP Archive. Associated Press.
  11. ^ a b c d e Grundy, Tom (9 September 2015). "HKFP History: In Pictures – Queen Elizabeth II in Hong Kong". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Countries visited by the Prince of Wales". Clarence House. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  13. ^ "25 years of serving Hong Kong and beyond" (PDF). MTR Corporation.
  14. ^ "HK icon celebrates 25th birthday". Information Services Department. 2 November 2014.
  15. ^ "Les Intrus". Le Soir (in French). 8 November 1994. Archived from the original on July 18, 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
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