That was all in a day's work for the Royal Family in 1947. In the wake of a devastating World War, and amid stirrings of independence from historic colonies, King George VI and his family visited the Dominions of Southern Africa: South Africa, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Swaziland ( Eswatini), Basutoland (Lesotho) and the Bechuanaland Protectorate (Botswana). During the trip, the Royals travelled some ten thousand miles - half by train - and were greeted by huge crowds. Their engagements comprised both the grand and the more simple. In Kimberley, the Queen and the Princesses were given diamonds; in the Kruger Park they took their own photos of the wildlife with box cameras. They visited hospitals and wine farms, honoured war heroes, marvelled at the thundering Victoria Falls, went underground in a gold mine and, in East London, the young Princess Elizabeth performed her first solo engagement by naming a dry dock after herself, while in Cape Town she made a now-famous speech on her 21st birthday that was broadcast by radio around the world.
And, throughout this daunting itinerary, they looked elegant and unflustered even in the heat... as can be seen from historic Pathe newsreels. Wartime austerity was tossed aside as the Queen and her daughters stepped out in flowing pastel dresses and ostrich-plumed hats. Christian Dior had just presented his New Look in Paris - a luxurious abandonment of serviceable clothing - and the young princesses, in particular, followed his lead.
And, of course, the Royal party visited the British enclave of Simon's Town, as can be seen in this photo. I wonder if Louise Ahrendts, heroine of The Girl from Simon's Bay, was in the crowds lining St George's Street? I should have written a scene in the book especially...
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