QUEEN’S DRESS IN NIGERIA

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27873, 23 January 1956, Page 2

QUEEN’S DRESS IN NIGERIA

Formal Gown For Morning Drives

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, January 22. The Queen will drive twice through the streets of Lagos in full evening dress during the morning, on her Nigerian tour, says the “Daily Mirror.” The newspaper has been urging in its editorial columns that the Queen should show herself to native peoples grandly robed and crowned like their own dignitaries.

~ The Daily Mirror,” which received this assurance from v Buckingham Palace, says: “Nigerian crowds will see diamond orders sparkling on the Queens gown. The blue sash of the Older of the Garter will be across her shoulders, and on her head will be a magnificent diamond tiara. soverei gns’ crowns—the Imperial State Crown and St. Edward's Crown—will have to be left behind in London. The Constitution forbids them to be taken out of England. “The Queen’s morning drives in evening dress will be to the Federal House of Representatives and House St Ass .®l nbly Of the Eastern Region. She will also wear an evening gown. Garter sash and tiara when she meets members of the Houses of Chiefs and Houses of Assemblies of other regions.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that for all these occasions the Queen will be dressed almost exactly as when she opens Parliament in London.

The only difference will be that she will wear a tiara instead of a diadem from the crown jewels. But some of her tiaras are very large and magnincem, and much bigger than a diadem. It was suggested to us that the Queen should take with her the coach m which she drives to open Parliament But that would not be practicable. It would kill the horses which draw it if they were suddenly transported from London to work in tropical heat, and local horses would have to be specially trained,” he said.