Film depicting the highlights of the Royal Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to Queensland, 6 - 8 March 1963. Her Majesty and HRH arrive in the Royal Yacht, "Britannia" in Brisbane, and are welcomed by hundreds of boats and thousands of people. Her Majesty and HRH are greeted by the Governor, Col. Sir Henry Abel Smith and Lady May, as well as the Premier GFR Nicklin. Her Majesty proceeds to inspect the royal guard of honour then gets escorted with HRH to Brisbane City Hall by mounted police.
At a crowded King George Square, Her Majesty and HRH are welcomed by Lord Mayor Clem Jones for the Civic Reception. Her Majesty gives a short speech, before signing a visitor’s book for Brisbane. Following the ceremony, Her Majesty and HRH are escorted to Government House where they are saluted by scouts and guides lining the avenue, and received by the Governor and Lady May who are hosting a luncheon for Her Majesty and other officials.
There are scenes of Her Majesty in Brisbane unveiling a cairn at Bulwer Island to commemorate the discovery of oil in Queensland; attending receptions and school children's welcome at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground and also the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Her Majesty and HRH are also flown to Coolangatta to attend a surf carnival. In all venues, crowds are lining the streets and grounds to greet the Her Majesty and HRH. Includes arrival and departure scenes at various airports, and the farewell ceremony with gun salute to Her Majesty and HRH on R.A.A.F. Convair from Eagle Farm airport.
Transcript of script:
Here before us is a scene of majestic splendour spreading itself across the wide panorama of the Brisbane River as her Royal Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip sail into the city of Brisbane aboard the royal yacht Britannia on their visit to our state of Queensland. And what a sight it is flanked by the little boats with their gleaming white sails against a perfect background the Britannia moves steadily and regally up river watched by thousands of spectators lining the river banks and welcoming her most gracious majesty with wonderful sincerity but at this moment it’s the little boats beyond all doubt taking the honours in providing the royal couple with a truly typically Queensland welcome.
This is Brisbane’s second welcome not only to Her Majesty but also to the royal yacht Britannia where it was in 1956 when this graceful ship sailed up the Brisbane River for the first time. From here we can see the Queen moving about on the stern of the ship wearing a brilliant red costume. Following the Britannia is the destroyer escort ship Anzac which accompanied the Royals from Sydney and which early this morning answered the 21 gun salute fired at Fort Lytton by an establishment of the Royal Australian Artillery. And here on this glorious sunny day the Britannia moves slowly into her berthing position at Newstead Wharf where a huge cheering crowd has assembled to meet Her Majesty and her husband. From the top of the mast we can see the personal flag of Her Majesty designed especially for the royal tour in Australia.
The excitement is gradually building up and the little craft have virtually taken control of the waterways, the Anzac is far behind the royal vessel now and it’s apparent the small craft are only interested in the Britannia and getting as close to her as they can. But at last the Anzac berths in her position near the Britannia and now His Excellency the Governor Colonel Sir Henry Able Smith and Lady May have arrived at Newstead Wharf and are boarding the royal yacht to pay an official call upon Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, they’ll remain aboard until the Queen is ready to disembark when they will receive her officially at the foot of the ramp.
Back on the river the conglomeration of tugs, passenger boats, pleasure cruisers, yachts, in fact almost anything that can float has moved closer to the Britannia and her escort ship Anzac and the noise is really fantastic on this very happy morning. One can only estimate in this case but there must be at least 300-400 boats on the river hooting their sirens and making an absolute whoopee of a noise, for those that haven’t got sirens well it’s the sailors themselves hooting and the crowds on the banks too whistling, cheering, applauding, combined these noises are invigorating and very warming indeed.
The official car of the Premier of Queensland the Honourable GFR Nicklin MM MLA and his sister Mrs Lind arrives at Newstead Wharf. The Premier and Mrs Lind will be presented to Her Majesty aboard the royal yacht Britannia. Led by their band, the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment march into position on the wharf in their ceremonial winter uniforms to form the royal guard of honour to be inspected later by Her Majesty the Queen. Excitement reaches a climax as His Excellency and Lady May leave the Britannia and come ashore followed by Mrs Lind and the Premier. And here she is Her Majesty the Queen and her husband His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. Having now been received officially by the Governor the Queen and her husband Prince Phillip proceed to the guard of honour awaiting Her Majesty. Petite and very lovely the Queen now wears a soft blue throughout and completely turned right through including the tiny floral hat she wears, as you can see her accessories are in white including the parasol to protect herself from the sun, the Queen is also wearing her famous three strands of pearls.
The Anthem played and Her Majesties personal flag now broken the Queen proceeds to inspect the Royal Guard of Honour escorted by the Guard Commander Major Maloney. Among the party accompanying Her Majesty on this inspection is the General Officer commanding Northern Command Major General MF Grogan OBE and the Equerry-in-waiting. The royal salute is given as the Queen and the Prince board the shiny maroon coloured Rolls Royce which is take them through the city to the Brisbane City Hall and now they are on their way.
From these positions in the city our cameras capture the royal progress to the City Hall escorted by the incredibly smart mounted police the Queen looks a charming figure shaded by her parasol and waving to the children and crowds lining the royal route. And we see also His Royal Highness in the summer uniform of Admiral of the Fleet obviously enjoying this tremendous welcome given to them by the people of our capital city. From this position in King George Square facing the elegant frontage of Brisbane’s magnificent City Hall the mounted escort troops up in file hemmed in almost by this vast happy and excited crowd. And now rounding the corner comes Her Majesty and her husband and there’s a great cheer as she comes into sight. In front of the City Hall the Queen and Prince Phillip alight from the royal car and are greeted by the Lord Mayor Alderman Clem Jones and the Lady Mayoress, now the Lord Mayor escorts Her Majesty up the steps to the royal dais and as they move across the deck of the platform a tremendous cheer breaks out from the huge crowd assembled in this well known square named after her grandfather.
The honour of presenting Her Majesty with this lovely bouquet of flowers goes to pretty 12 year old Johanna Priestley legacy ward of Corinda and what a delightful thrill this is for her. And now the Lord Mayor welcomes Her Majesty to Brisbane “May it please your gracious Majesty, we the Lord Mayor and Aldermen together with the citizens of Brisbane welcome Your Majesty to our city, Your Majesty on behalf of the Aldermen of this city and its citizens may I present you with this address”
“My Lord Mayor, Brisbane has aimed at higher things as your motto says and achieved them and I trust that in the future your city will continue to go forward and that you will prosper in all your affairs, may god bless you all”.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness crossed the dais to the little period table to sign the visitor book for Brisbane.
Her official welcome to Brisbane over Her Majesty accompanied by the Lord Mayor leaves the dais to begin her journey to Government House and as she leaves she waves and smiles at the crowd cheering her. Our royal visitors leave the City Hall escorted in pageant style by the Queensland Royal Mounted Police and a tremendous roar farewells Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, it is literally a sea of people through which this royal progress passes on it’s way up to Albert Street to continue to Government House.
Standing smartly to attention these Queen Scouts and Queens Guides welcome Her Majesty with a salute to Fernberg the official residence of His Excellency the Governor of Queensland Sir Henry Able Smith KCVODSO. More than 100 Queens Scouts and Guides line the royal route along the driveway within the grounds of Government House. Inside Government House the Queen and Prince Phillip will lunch with the Governor and Lady May Able Smith and other state officials.
The royal scene crosses now to Bulwer Island where Her Majesty the Queen will unveil the cairn commemorating the discovery of oil in Queensland. Hundreds of spectators have gathered to welcome Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip at this historic site. To the joy of all the spectators and officials here the royal car arrives at Bulwer Island. Everyone here looks extremely happy as the Queen slowly drives past smiling and waving to the crowd. The Queen is welcomed by the Deputy Premier, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General the Hon. AW Munro MLA and Mrs Munro. Now the royal couple proceed to the dais accompanied by the Deputy Premier and Mrs Munro.
Speeches are presented to Her Majesty by the Premier and by Mr Rouble President of the Union Oil Company of California commenting on Queensland’s first major oil achievement Her Majesty says “I hope that the unveiling of this stone will mark the opening of another vigorous chapter in Queensland’s history”. The Premier now invites Her Majesty to unveil the stone.
Escorted once again by the Hon. AW Munro and Mrs Munro Her Majesty and His Royal Highness leave the dais and say goodbye to the Premier and other officials who were present at the ceremony and as the royal car leaves a great cheer is raised by the large crowd. The gleaming Rolls Royce returns Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to the royal yacht at Newstead where a large crowd of spectators has gathered to catch a glimpse of our Queen and her husband as they leave the car and go aboard their floating palace. Every eye watches and cameras click as the royal couple proceed up the bow and along the deck to the royal suite where state official tour members will be presented officially to Her Majesty and following Her Majesty and the Prince into the royal suite are the honoured citizens to be presented to this lovely Queen.
Our scene shifts now to the oval in the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds as Her Majesty and His Royal Highness make their way across in their open Rolls Royce to the dais, here on this wonderfully sunny day 45,201 school children of the northern suburbs have assembled to greet and cheer their Queen and cheer they do. The royal car arrives at the dais in the centre of the oval the official welcome has been given and greeting the royal couple on this occasion were the Minister of Education the Hon. J Pretty and Mrs Pretty and a very big cheer is raised as a privileged young lady presents Her Majesty with a bouquet. The royal couple now mount the open Land Rover to begin their circuit of the Exhibition Oval Her Majesty and Prince Phillip will circle the children 9 times along this unique spiral lane flanked both sides by wildly cheering children. It’s an absolutely incredible sight watching these thousands of youngsters cheering at the top of their voices and waving everything possible to be waved flags, hats, handkerchiefs even coloured paper. One loud final cheer reverberates throughout the oval as Her Majesty and the Prince drive across to the Rolls Royce now awaiting them. With their farewells said our royal visitors transfer to the open Rolls in which they’ll continue on their royal progress to the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
And here on the south side of the city are assembled the school children of the southern suburbs at the Brisbane Cricket Ground watching with fascination as the royal couple enters the arena. Her Majesty and Prince Phillip are welcomed by the Treasurer and Minister for Housing the Hon. TA Highly and Mrs Highly and a rousing cheer is given as Her Majesty and her husband walk onto the royal dais in the centre of the cricket oval. The honour of presenting Her Majesty the bouquet of flowers goes to Yvonne Groth a tall graceful young lady who at this moment must find it so hard to believe that it’s really she who has been chosen to undertake this delightful courtesy. Well even at the cricket ground the Queen hasn’t a chance of retiring from the incredible noise these children are making listening to them is a fantastic and a very moving experience and by the looks of it the royal couple seem to be delighted at this wonderful welcome and for the second time today the royal couple prepares to circle around the mass of children thrilled to see a close-up of their Queen and for many of them their first glimpse of this really wonderful lady. The excitement is almost over and Her Majesty and His Royal Highness now proceed to the entrance of the oval amid great cheers as they leave the children at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
The Gold Coast Queensland’s fabulous holiday resort awaits the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip and despite the rain and heavy clouds the Gold Coast lives up to its claim of welcoming its visitors, certainly on this occasion its welcome is warm and very young one indeed. And here she is Her Majesty the Queen followed by His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. Almost unaware of the inclement weather the Queen is greeted by the Minister for Public Works and Local Government the Hon. H Richter MLA and Mrs Richter and other officials on the tarmac of the Coolangatta Airport which is the aerial gateway to the state of Queensland.
The royal couple enter their car for the journey into Coolangatta, it’s teeming with rain but this doesn’t seem to dampen the spirits of the crowd only their hats and coats and who cares about that on this happy occasion. Listen to them, look at them. Headed by this motorcycle police escort the first official car arrives at its destination in Coolangatta. And now the royal car approaches and a great cheer builds up by these wet but very faithful people here today what could be more encouraging than this. The royal party makes its way to the canvas dais overlooking the wide stretch of the Coolangatta beach. As the rule umbrella stands aren’t needed on the Gold Coast that’s why there’s none here. Undaunted by the chilled wind sweeping across the beach Her Majesty and the official party seat themselves on the dais to await the start of the royal surf carnival and the 1963 Royal Surf Carnival begins with the royal march past and parade of life savers from all parts of Queensland and the northern rivers area of New South Wales. Here the rain and cold breezes are forgotten as these strong gallant young Australians parade in guard-like fashion past their Queen, it’s a stirring sight indeed and a colourful one, let’s watch them.
The band of the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment keeps the time as the teams continue marching in smart military fashion along the wide beach in this pageant-like Royal Surf Carnival. And perhaps the most exciting event to watch in this Royal Surf Carnival is the boat race, a race between teams competing not only with each other but also the elements. Her Majesty and the Prince look on with unusual interest as the crews skilfully pull their craft through and over the rolling surf, these are the young men who guard our beaches for our protection, sturdy, tough and brave and on this day we are proud to see them together displaying their skill in the presence of our royal visitors. It’s a case of bailing out the dais as well as the surf boats below and here they are racing back to the beach carried by the great rolling surf, a spectacular sight and an event which provides both spectators and crews with unsurpassed thrills.
It might be fun to onlookers this but these lifesavers are taking this game seriously, games of this sort and beach races are a necessity to ensure physical fitness and quick mental reaction.
It’s been an exciting day for the royal couple damp perhaps but invigorating, colourful and by no means uneventful, a day for Her Majesty to remember and for us too. The Royal Surf Carnival comes to an end as excitingly as it began and now Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip and other official members of the party begin to leave the royal dais on the tree lined beach at Coolangatta. They drive along The Esplanade and the crowds farewell Her Majesty and the Prince as they leave the Queensland border town of Coolangatta on their way back to the airport. This has been the Queens first visit to Coolangatta a memorable occasion for the town’s citizens, for now it’s goodbye but with the hope the Her Majesty will return another day to visit the gateway to Queensland.
Back at the airport more crowds are gathered to wave and cheer Her Majesty farewell, the royal car drives gracefully over the tarmac to the royal plane awaiting the Queen and her husband. Quickly alighting from the gleaming Rolls Royce the Queen and the Prince say goodbye to their friends of the Gold Coast, the happy sounds of the cheering crowd accompany the royal couple as they board the aircraft for the return to the state’s capital city, as the royal plane moves to the end of the runway no doubt the thought in everyone’s mind is that next time Her Majesty returns the sun must shine in true Queensland fashion, but despite the drenching weather it was still worth it.
With a little sadness in our hearts the time has come for our royal visitors to leave our city and state. To farewell Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Queenslanders have excelled themselves once again by lining the streets to cheer and wave them goodbye and to wish them god speed on the next step of their journey. The royal car proceeds through the city and it’s almost impossible to be heard above the wonderful sound of cheering all around us may we hope this sound will continue ringing in their hearts for many years to come.
A last look at the Queen for our young people of Albion what a thrill for them this day they’ll never forget. And now Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip leave the children of Albion and proceed to the aerodrome at Eagle Farm where the royal plane will take them on to Cooma in New South Wales. At the airport Her Majesty is to be accorded a ceremonial farewell prior to her departure for Cooma and the Snowy Mountains. Her Majesty and Prince Phillip arrive at the Brisbane airport and are met by the Governor and Lady May, the Premier and Mrs Lind and as they move to receive the royal salute Her Majesty is escorted by the air officer of South Queensland Air Commodore W N Gibson CBE BFC. The guard commander Flight Lieutenant Gilllion now moves towards Her Majesty to report the Royal Guard is ready for inspection. The Royal Guard of Honour is presented on this occasion by the Royal Australian Air Force at Amberley. Her Majesty has completed the inspection of the Guard and is returning to the central point where she’ll now make her way over to the royal aircraft. And as this petite beautiful figure walks in a relaxed manor to the aircraft dodging her way through some of the shallow pools of water we can hear the crowd behind us raising their voices in a tremendous cheer.
This is a poignant moment indeed between them as our royal visitors bid the Premier and Mrs Lind farewell these are the last happy moments of their stay in our state, moments we wish we could extend long enough to allow the royal couple to see so much more. The last moments are over as Her Majesty and her husband climb the steps with a little reluctance perhaps at leaving their friends to board the royal aircraft. Our final farewell now as the royal salute and the 21 gun salute are given. Moving further away from us we see the aircraft of Her Majesty taxiing gracefully along the runway to the take off point it’s a sad moment for both our royal visitors and the people of Queensland and we hope the happy memories of their stay here will be cherished by them until they come again. And now behind our cameras the crowds are cheering and waving wildly as the aircraft leaves for other parts of Australia. And there’s our last sight of the royal aircraft leaving us this part of their 1963 Australian visit is over. And as the plane recedes into the distance we bid our royal visitors a last farewell from this proud and loyal state of Queensland.
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