Ahead of the State Funeral Service of Queen Elizabeth II, which is expected to be one of the biggest gatherings of royalty and politicians hosted in the UK for decades, the Cape Argus retrieved articles from its archives detailing the visit of the royal family back in 1947.
The article below was published on the front page of the Cape Argus, dated Cape Town, Tuesday, April 22, 1947.
(Note: The author of the original article is not mentioned or referred to in the article.)
3 000 AT CIVIC BALL
“Cape Town must be the envy of every town, village and hamlet in the British Empire,” said the mayor of Cape Town Mr. A Bloomberg. M.P., in welcoming Princess Elizabeth to the civic hall at the City hall last night.
Her Royal Highness arrived at the City Hall at about 10.15, attended by Lady Margaret Egerton and Mayor T.C. Harvey.
Over 3 000 guests thronged the bays, corridors, dance floor and the gallery. As 10 o’clock approached a rumour spread that Princess Elizabeth had arrived, and the packed dance floor became a seething mass as more and more people surged into the hall all eyes focusing on the Mayor’s bay.
The pent-up emotions of the well-behaved crowd were given vent a mighty as Princess Elizabeth, accompanied by the Mayor and Mayoress, stepped into the white-and-gold bay. Before taking her seat the Princess graciously acknowledged the cheers and greetings of the people.
“DEEPLY GRATEFUL”
After the Mayor had presented to Princess Elizabeth a golden key – “a token of Cape Town’s enduring loyalty and the freedom to the hearts which Her Royal Highness has already captured” – and the happy crowds had sung “Happy Birthday, Dear Princess” and “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow”, the Princess stepped to the microphone
“I am deeply grateful for this token of welcome from the City of Cape Town, and for a very happy birthday spent among you,” she said.
Major-Gen R.J Palmer, commissioner of Police, spent some anxious moments when his royal charge left the Mayor’s bay to join the dancers.
HEMMED IN
Although space on the floor was made for her to enter the dance hall, the crowd as soon as they realised that Her Royal Highness was to grace the dance hemmed her in from every side. So dense was the crowd that the Princess could not be seen. Realising that it was impossible for the Princess to continue the dance Major General Palmer arranged for her to return to the Mayor’s bay. She was partnered by LT-Comm M.G McLeod liaison officer for H.M.S. Vanguard.
On her way to the dance floor, Princess Elizabeth stopped to talk to Rear-Admiral W.G. Agnew captain of Vanguard. The Princess stayed at the civic ball for about an hour. Her poise, charm and gracious dignity enraptured the people. After waving to the crowds who had gathered on the Parade and in Darling-street she departed for Government House.
Royal Programme To-morrow
Princess Elizabeth who is Chief Ranger of the British Empire will attend a Girl Guides rally with Princess Margaret at noon to-morrow.
In the afternoon the Royal Family will attend a garden party given by the Administrator and Mrs. Carinus at Leeuwenhof. The King will take the salute at a parade of ex-servicemen and women on the Grand Parade at 5.45 p.m.
