By Victor Achebe, Staff Reporter
Adderley Street, Cape Town, 17 February 1947
Cape Town today welcomed Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, together with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, as the Royal Tour of the Union commenced with a ceremonial landing at Duncan Dock and a triumphal procession through the city.
Long before the arrival of the Royal Family, the streets leading from the harbour to the city centre were lined with spectators. Adderley Street, Wale Street, Darling Street and the approaches to the Grand Parade filled steadily from the early hours of the morning as residents from Cape Town and surrounding districts gathered to witness the occasion.
The weather was clear, with Table Mountain providing an impressive backdrop as HMS Vanguard steamed into Table Bay carrying the Royal Party after its voyage from England.
As the battleship entered the harbour, a Royal Salute was fired and vessels in the bay sounded their sirens in greeting. The Royal Standard flew from the masthead as the ship berthed at Duncan Dock shortly after nine o’clock.
Awaiting Their Majesties on the quay were the Prime Minister, Field Marshal J.C. Smuts, the Governor-General, Major-General G. Brand van Zyl, Cabinet Ministers, senior officers of the Union Defence Force, representatives of the City Council and other distinguished guests.
Before the landing ceremony commenced, Field Marshal Smuts and the Governor-General boarded HMS Vanguard to extend the official welcome of the Union Government. The Prime Minister greeted the King aboard the battleship before accompanying the Royal Party ashore.
King George VI was the first to descend the gangway, followed by Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
On the quay, the King was received by Field Marshal Smuts and Governor-General Van Zyl before being presented to members of the official reception party. Following the formal introductions, His Majesty inspected a Guard of Honour drawn from the Union Defence Force while the massed bands performed “God Save the King.”
The ceremonial proceedings at the docks concluded shortly before the Royal motorcade departed for the city.
Escorted by mounted members of the South African Police and motorcycle outriders, the procession left Duncan Dock and proceeded along the Foreshore before entering Adderley Street.
Every available viewpoint overlooking the route had been occupied. Office windows, balconies and rooftops were crowded with spectators, while many others stood several rows deep along the pavements behind police barriers.
The city had been extensively decorated for the occasion. Union Flags and the national flag of the Union of South Africa lined the principal streets, while government buildings, commercial premises and public offices displayed bunting, banners and floral decorations. Across Adderley Street, welcoming signs stretched between buildings, and shopfronts were dressed in honour of the Royal Visit.
The procession advanced slowly through the city, allowing the assembled crowds an uninterrupted view of the Royal Family. King George VI acknowledged the cheers with repeated waves, while Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret responded continually to the greetings of the public as the motorcade passed.
Field Marshal Smuts travelled immediately with the Royal Party during the official journey into the city. Throughout the route, members of the Union Defence Force and the South African Police maintained the ceremonial cordon, while mounted officers kept the roadway clear.
As the Royal procession moved along Adderley Street, cheering could be heard continuously from one end of the thoroughfare to the other. Thousands waved flags and handkerchiefs as the motorcade passed beneath the avenue’s oak trees.
The procession continued to the Grand Parade, where the City of Cape Town formally welcomed Their Majesties at a civic reception attended by representatives of Parliament, the judiciary, the armed services and municipal authorities.
Standing in readiness at Cape Town railway station was the specially prepared Royal White Train, painted in cream and white and assembled by the South African Railways exclusively for the Royal Tour. The train, comprising sleeping coaches, dining cars, lounges, staff accommodation and communication facilities, would serve as the Royal Family’s travelling residence during their journey through the Union. Although it did not form part of today’s procession from Duncan Dock, its presence at the station was a visible reminder of the extensive railway tour that will follow the conclusion of Their Majesties’ engagements in Cape Town. Railway officials and engineering staff have spent months preparing the train, which has been equipped to enable the Royal Party to travel throughout the country in comfort while maintaining the official programme of visits.
The arrival of the Royal Family marks the opening of an extensive programme of engagements in Cape Town before the Royal Tour continues to other centres within the Union.
