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Visit of Princess Elizabeth to Kenya - Feb 1952
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Photogallery
Visit of Princess Elizabeth to Kenya - Feb 1952
(Photos & text sent in by John Nicholson)
Princess Elizabeth on her visit to Kenya in February 1952.
The Prince of Wales School CCF lined part of the route at the
reception on her arrival,
and that's when I took the shots!
An extract from MagicalKenya.com:
In 1952, Princess Elizabeth and her new husband the Duke of Edinburgh embarked on a journey to Kenya. Her visit was of
great importance to the colonial administration of the time.
Throughout the 20th century, Kenya had always drawn a wide range of visitors to its shores, including many dignitaries and
world leaders. Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, The Duke of Gloucester and many others took well-documented Kenyan
safaris. Kenya has always been considered the first and greatest "safari" destination.
So it was the natural choice for the young Royal couple, as they set off from London on January 31st, bidding farewell to
King George Vth.
The Royal party visited Nairobi before setting out on a 5 day safari through the wilderness. On February 5th, they reached
the Aberdare Ranges. Travelling into the hills, they explored the beautiful highland moors and forests, crossing fresh
mountain streams alive with trout and passing through the colonial town of Nyeri. As the sun set, they settled into the
world famous Treetops lodge for the night.
As the name suggests, Treetops is set high in the forest, overlooking a quiet waterhole and natural saltlick. The entrance
to the lodge is through a central staircase ascending from the forest floor.
As night settled, game from the surrounding ranges gathered beneath the lodge. The Royal couple spent the night watching
the endless procession of elephants, buffalo, rhino and other game that visited the waterhole, before retiring.
On February 6th, the 25 year old Princess woke early in true safari tradition. She and Michael Parker, her husband's
private secretary climbed high onto a lookout tower to watch the sunrise.
As the dawn's first light illuminated the forest canopy, a lone eagle rose from the trees and flew low over their heads.
At this moment, thousands of miles away in London, the King died in his sleep, and the title of monarch passed to his
daughter in Kenya. He was later discovered by his valet, and frantic efforts began to send the news to Kenya.
When the telegram arrived, the Princess was still at Treetops, and she descended to the forest floor as the new Queen of
England.
This momentous day granted Kenya an important role in the history of the British Royal Family. The Queen's coronation was
celebrated with a road race through the Kenyan Bush, known as the "Coronation Rally". The race became an annual event,
popularly known as the "Safari Rally".
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