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“Highlights of the visit of Queen Elizabeth & the Duke of Edinburgh to Auckland”.
Filmmaker AH (Harry) Reynolds’ home movie captures the excitement and enthusiasm with which New Zealanders embraced the Royal Summer, 1953-54.
A travelling shot down Queen Street shows the decorations and illuminations lighting the night sky.
Wednesday December 23, 1953, “Arrival day - The sky is dull but not the people”.
Disembarking from the Gothic the royal entourage drive through crowds of cheering people lining the streets.
The Queen and Duke attend Divine Service at St. Mary’s Cathedral. One of many, Reynolds struggles in the crowd to capture the moment on film.
Monday 28 December. “Presentation of the Queens Colour R.N.Z.A.F. Whenuapai”.
The Queen arrives and parades in open top landrover, then presents colours to Air Force personnel. A march past at slow step past Queen. Crowd shot. The Royal Dakota then leaves for Kaikohe.
“The End”