Informality For Royal Visit

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 2

Informality For Royal Visit

During the next fc» weeks mViy New witl meet and see Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. This Royal visit will be more informal than past ones in many respects, including clothing for Royal functions.

Her Majesty does not wish anyone to go to unnecessary expense in buying special clothes. A lounge suit will be correct for men at public functions and early evening Kk receptions.

For women, short afternoon dresses with hats will be correct at day functions. Gloves should be worn by women but need not be white, and the wearer should not remove them before being presented to Her Majesty. At early evening receptions women should wear short cocktail dresses with hat and gloves. There will be only a few occasions calling for formal dress. For dinners aboard the Royal yacht and for the reception aboard the Britannia at Auckland men should iwear dinner jackets and

women long evening dresses and long gloves. At the two Royal concerts men may wear dinner jackets and women may wear either short or long evening dresses as preferred. At receptions the names of guests presented to Her Majesty are announced by the host Men bow and women curtsey and shake hands with Her Majesty. Men make a half-bow, inclining the head only. A half-curtsey (not a full debutante curtsey) is correct. Normal practice is to address the Queen Mother for

the first time as “Your Majesty” and subsequently as “Ma’am.” Those invited to Royal receptions and dinners should bring their invitations and present them when asked. Her Majesty does not accept gifts from firms nor, normally, from individuals, otherwise she could be embarrassed by receiving large numbers. Attempting to give an “unofficial” bouquet as the Royal entourage passes, or trying to stop it to do so, is definitely, discouraged, because the giver may be hurt by the Royal car or those following Cars will not stop for such unofficial presentations.