ENGAGEMENTS OF THE QUEEN

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27666, 24 May 1955, Page 8

ENGAGEMENTS OF THE QUEEN

“Formidable” Summer Schedule

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, May 21. Queen Elizabeth is preparing to tackle more than 100 major engagements in the heaviest summer schedule of her reign. From the end of this month until the second week in August, the young Queen faces what a Buckingham Palace spokesman called a really formidable programme. It starts off gently enough next week with two engagements she really enjoys—the Chelsea Flower Show in London and the world-famous Derby at Epsom Downs. The Queen, who last year headed the winning owners’ list, was to have had a horse in the Derby, but he was scratched. June, the truly Royal month when London with its. show of red tunics, medieval armour, white plumes, prancing horses and golden coaches looks like a page out of. a picture book will be the Queen’s busiest month.

Apart from the usual spate of receptions and audiences, she will take part in the Trooping of the Colour (which celebrates her “official” birthday), attend the Royal Tournament, a colourful reminder of knighthood in flower, install Sir Anthony Eden as Knight of the Order of the Garter, drive through the streets of London to open the new Parliament, attend the races at Royal Ascot, and, finally, sail to Norway for the first State visit of her reign. Almost all of these engagements mean hours of hard work in preparation.

Because last year the Queen’s advisers insisted on a light summer programme—after her tiring Commonwealth tour—she did not hold a Scottish Court.

Consequently, there are nearly double the number of debutantes to be presented this year.

At the beginning of August, she will make a tour of Wales and visit her people on the Isle of Man and after that—at last, she is ready for a good, two-months’ vacation with her husband and children.