Safe Return For Royal Couple

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 16

Safe Return For Royal Couple

(A kJ’.A.-RriUer— CopgngiU) LONDON, March 28. The Queen arrived home from Australia today after the longest flight she has ever made. With the Duke of Edinburgh, she arrived back in London after a 14,600-mile flight from Perth.

Princess Anne was at the airport to welcome the Royal couple home from their two-month tour. Crowds at the airport cheered the smiling couple as they walked from their Boeing 707. The Queen appeared “somewhat pale” after the 21*<hr flight, the “Evening News" said. The Duke had a “magnificent deep suntan.”

Princess Anne and the Queen Mother welcomed the couple privately aboard the Boeing.

The Royal couple then stepped on to the tarmac to be welcomed by the Prime Minister 'Mr Macmillan), the Commonwealth Relationa Secretary (Mr Duncan Sandys), the Home Secretary 'Mr Henry Brooke), and the Aviation Minister (Mr Julian Amery).

Also present were the High Commissioner for Australia (Sir Eric Harrison) and the High Commissioner for New Zealand 'Sir Thomas Macdonald). Among the party aboard the Royal aircraft was a “hitch-hiker.” Prince Richard of Gloucester. He had come from Sydney, where he had been on holidays. The Royal couple and Princess Anne later drove to Windsor Castle.

The pilot on the last leg of the flight from Vancouver. Captain Tom Nisbett. flight manager of 8.0.A.C.’s fleet of Boeings, said the weather along the route had been very smooth. Reuter reported. Prince Charles flew back to London from Scotland today to rejoin the Queen and the Duke. His school. Gordonstoun, broke up today for the Easter vacation.