The Royal Visit: A Day to Remember

For many, however, there was disappointment. From inquiries we have made we learned that huge sections of the crowds that lined the Royal route got but a fleeting glimpse of the Royal couple and many got none. This was attributable to (a) the fact that the Royal cars travelled at a speed far in excess of 6 miles an hour and (b) to the decision to leave Nelson in an enclosed,

February 13, 1963, the day on which our Queen and her consort, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed all too quickly across the northern part of the South Island during their New Zealand tour. But what a day to remember! In Nelson, brilliant sunshine and calm seas must have contrasted sharply for the Royal visitors with the conditions that existed in Wellington. Early in the morning many thousands of her subjects from all over the province left their homes and came to Nalson in bus and car, Many hundred Nelsonians, also, were up early to taka up vantage points on the hills to see the Royal yacht Britannia arrive.

The Queen herself appeared a little tired when she stepped ashore - possibly the result of the Wellington weather and a rough crossing of the strait to Nelson - but as the day progressed she relaxed visibly and at Blenheim and Picton appeared to be enjoying herself.

We have attempted to cover the tour as fully as possible from the time the Britannia arrived in the roadstead until her sailing at Picton. The pictures on this page scarcely need explaining. The one at left was. taken by John Sharp and the one above as the couple left McGlashen Quay.

rather than an open, car. We feel that this contributed in no small degree to the undemonstrative welcome given the Queen and the Duke. Nelson was very quiet. Nor could we understand why the authorities concerned did not pack Trafalgar Park with children of all ages. As it was, the park was barely half full for what was the most important function in Nelson. What a difference in Blenheim where at Pollard Park the children gave the Royal couple a tremendous ovation!

Britannia from the air,outside Port Nelson.

Hundreds of cars travelled up to Princes Drive and other vantage points to see the Royal yacht arrive. Traffic got so snarled up that some left their cars and walked into town. Many who didn't do so were left stuck on the hills.

The Royal barge and tenders travelling; from Britannia through a lane of small craft which stretched to McGlashen Quay.

Iron Duke Sea Scouts, with newly-dedicated flags and with John Enright holding mascot Pooch, formed a guard of honour.

One woman had the remedy for hot, sore feet.

The Queen steps ashore.

Harhour Board secretary, Bill Parr, greets Her Majesty, Mrs R. J. McKellar, wife of board chairman, is in the centre.

The Queen, accompanied by Mr F. L. H. Gotz, Minister of Internal Affairs, ascends the stairs to McGlashen Quay.

Mr McKellar had something of interest to tell Her Majesty on the short walk to her open car

Mayor Doug Strawbridge's big moment as he meets the Queen at Trafalgar Park

Through lanes of cheering children the Royal couple drove in the Landrover

A brief pause before the civic reception got under way

Tour officials, we heard, were full of praise for the diverse and slickly-presented entertainment at Trafalgar Park - gymnastics, axemen, and marching girls.

The Queen replies to the Mayor's loyal address. The dais on which the official party sat was beautifully decorated for the occasion by the Nelson Horticultural Society.

Another study of the Queen.

Mr Strawbridge welcomes the Royal couple.

As the Queen left the park, a few thought to cheer her on her way

The Queen finds something of interest

The most informal shot of the morning - the Queen joins in a joke with some of the crowd

A constable had to deal with this tiny interloper Just before the Queen emerged from the Hotel Nelson.

The handsome Rolls Royce - £10,000 worth of car

Her Majesty leaves the hotel en route to Blenheim

A few minutes after the Queen left Nelson, the Duke left by amphibian from Nelson airport for Anaktwa. At the airport he was given a tumultuous reception and send-off, the crowd for a time interfering with the departure of the aircraft.

At Sunnybank a big crowd had gathered to wish the Queen God-speed

And so to Marlborough where the Queen received the welcome beautifully illustrated at the top of the Rai Saddle (above). Here, at the Criterion Hotel, the Royal couple lunched before the ceremonial drive to Pollard Park for the civic reception, Upon arrival at the hotel the Queen was again met by Mr Gotz (below),

The Duke of Edinburgh, delightfully informal

Having met the Mayor of Blenheim (Mr S. P. Harling), the Queen greets the town clerk, Mr A. F. Wagner

A happy Queen at Pollard Park

For a brief moment, the Queen and Duke answered the calls of "we want the Quean" by the crowd outside the Criterion Hotel

The scene at Pollard Park - a section of the thousands of school children of all ages from all parts of the province

The Queen appears delighted with a bouquet just presented to her

Another lovely smile for the crowd as she leaves the dais with Mr Harling to commence her drive past the school children.

A relaxed and happy Queen moves through the children

On the drive to Picton the entourage paused for about five minutes because it was ahead of schedule

The Queen saw massed water skiing at Picton

At Picton the Royal visitors were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr A. E. Greig)

Just before departure by Royal barge for Britannia, the Queen signs the borough visitors' book.

A last wave as the barge carried our Royal visitors to Britannia

The scene at Picton just before Britannia, got under way

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The Nelson Photo News

No 28 : March 2, 1963

The Royal Visit: A Day to Remember