ROYAL VISIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26747, 16 April 1948, Page 4

ROYAL VISIT

GUIDE FOR PROCEDURE FORMS OF ETIQUETTE PA. WELLINGTON, Apl. 15. A guide for procedure in preparation for the royal visit, issued to-day by the Prime Minister's depai'/ nent > states that as the year passes plans will be prepared throughout New Zealand for the visit of the King and Queen and Princess Margaret early next year. Observations of other tours they have made indicate many minor details of interest which may be helpful to those concerned with the forthcoming tour in this country. They are not either direct or indirect instructions, but are significant as being noticeable features of other similar events. It is preferable that addresses of welcome should be reduced to a minimum, and should be made only in the most important cities and towns. No address should be made except by the municipality. Others bodies should be included in the municipal address, of course. If an address is made to the King, his Majesty will wish to reply to it. Often it is convenient for the address and the King's reply to be handed rather than read. The King and Queen and Princess Margaret do not normally give their autographs except very occasionally to those with whom they are personally acquainted. Their Majesties usually drive in a landaulette with the back down or in an open touring car. On Sundays their Majesties usually like to go to ordinary service at whatever church may be convenient, and they occupy the front pew with behind them anyone they may bring in attendance.

People often ask what are the Queen’s favourite colours and favourite flowers. Her Majesty has a preference for pastel shades, particularly blue, and is very fond of wild flowers. The King does not normally lay foundation stones and the Queen and Princess Margaret do so only very rarely. In the same way their Majesties prefer visiting institutions which are already in full use to opening new ones. When a guard of honour is mounted, the King invariably inspects it.

The Queen,.and Princess Margaret do not go round with his Majesty. On the other hand, either the Queen or Princess Margaret is almost certain to inspect any guard of honour that is mounted for them personally. The best way to send out invitations to a function at which their Majesties and Princess Margaret are going to be present is to send out a normal invitation card with: “To have the honour of meeting their Majesties, the King and and Queen, and her Royal Highness, the Princess Margaret,’ printed at the top. Princess Margaret is properly described as Princess Margaret, or her Royal Highness, the Princess Margaret, and does not now use the form “Princess Margaret Rose.” The King and Queen prefer their meals to be as simple as possible and not-to last too long. At public luncheons and dinners the host has the King on his right and the Queen qn his left. The hostess sits at the King’s right hand and tiie next most important guest sits on the Queen's left. The hostess has anoher man on her right, and beyond him its Princess Margaret. _ At more informal meals their Majesties usually sit opposite one another across the table. In this case the Queen has the host on her right and Princess Margaret would probably sit on the host's other side. The King has the hostess on his right and another lady on his left. •

The method of presentation to which their Majesties are acustomed is:—The King, Queen and Princess Margaret stand in a row with the King on the right. On the right cf the King stands the host or whoever does the presenting. The guests then approach from tne right, husbands in front of wives, and the host introduces each by name. Each guest bow r s or curtsies and shakes hands with each member of the royal family. If it is desired to toast the King at a public dinner or luncheon it is usual for the host to rise once only and to include the Queen and Princess Margaret. Members of the royal family do not normally reply to toasts. - Many have asked what are the royal colours. Strictly speaking, there are no royal colours. The nearest approach to them are his Majesty’s racing colours, which are scarlet arid dark blue, with a thin gold line dividing the two.

Their Majesties prefer swimming, picnics and sun-bathing to such sports as tennis and golf. The King likes shooting, the Queen likes to see wild flow’ers, and Princess Margaret likes to ride. The Queen and Princess Margaret like music and concerts. The King and Queen take a certain number of photographs, both still and moving