PRINCESS LEAVES BARBADOS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27583, 14 February 1955, Page 11

PRINCESS LEAVES BARBADOS

Warm Send-off From Big Crowd (Rec. 11 p.m.) BRIDGETOWN (Barbados), Feb. 12. Princess Margaret was given two warm send-offs by Barbados—“ Little England” of the West Indies—as she drove through the crowded streets of Bridgetown tonight to join the Royal Yacht Britannia for a 300-mile voyage to Antigua. The first was official and the second was a one-man affair—given by an old soldier, Mr James Herbert, who served with the British forces for many years and does not know his exact age. Mr Herbert, in a tattered shirt, trousers and sandals stood in a crowd and presented arms with a home-made wooden rifle and bayonet as Princess Margaret passed. A section of the crowd broke through, a police cordon and dashed to the quayside, clapping and cheering as the barge cast off to take the Princess to the Britannia. She drove to the harbour from a rally of 12,000 children at Garrison Savannah. The Princess heard the children singing a special song beginning “Hail Royal Princess, how glad and proud are we of this your visit.” Princess Margaret, in a strapless gown of satin, attended a formal reception at Government House, last night. Wearing a diamond tiara and diamond necklace she strolled about the house gardens pausing to chat with special guests.

More than 1000 persons crowded the grounds, lit by coloured bulbs.