Crowd at Town Hall to see Royalty

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 1

Crowd at Town Hall to see Royalty

When the Queen stepped from her car at the Town Hall last evening, her diamond tiara, jewellery and evening gown sparkling in the light of flashbulbs, a roar of delight went up from the crowd, some of whom had been waiting more than two hours.

The loudest cheers came from scores of excited small children, whom the police had seated on either side of the main entrance.

Between 1500 and 2000 adults and children, up to eight deep along Kilmore Street, waited to catch a glimpse of the Royal party. About 8.30 p.m. a long line of concert guests waited their turn to enter the Town Hall. The New Zealand Army Band played at the outside entrance and several concert guests danced while they waited. The arrival of several official guests, including the former Governor-General (Sir Arthur Porritt), the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk), and the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering) and his family, brought applause from the crowd.

Policemen patrolling the kerbsides chatted with the public and ensured that children were near the front. RUSH FORWARD

When the Royal party arrived about 10 minutes later than scheduled, all efforts by the police to try to keep the crowds on the footpaths failed as people rushed towards the Royal cars. The crowd dispersed soon

after the Queen, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips went inside the Town Hall, but many waited to see the Royal visitors again after the concert and supper party. The Royal party was met by Mr and Mrs Kirk, Mr and Mrs Pickering, and the Town Clerk (Mr J. H. Gray). Later the Mayor presented the Deputy-Mayor (Sir Robert Macfarlane) and Lady Macfarlane. QUEEN’S GOWN The Queen’s gown, a soft silk sheer, was floral patterned in sapphire blue and deep green glittering with sequin and bead embroidery. Her trim waistline was emphasised by a beaded belt and her skirt was gently flared. With her diamond tiara she wore a diamond necklace and ear-rings. Princess Anne wore little jewellery. As she moved through the foyer she slipped off her white, beautifully fringed shawl to reveal the chiffon gown in which Norman Parkinson photographed her for the issue of “Vogue” magazine that marked her twenty-first birthday. The bodice of the cerise, marigold, jade, yellow, and blue flowered dress was shirred, the high neckline ruffled, and the skirt bias-cut. The sleeves were shirred to

the elbow, and flared to the wrist.

The audience—mostly middle-aged—was well dressed, but generally informal. Nearly all the women wore long summer dresses, and there were only a few satins and brocades, and even less jewellery. Most of the men wore business suits.