Customer Reviews

The Royal Tour

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I had been looking for a book on the Royal Tour of South Africa, 1947, when I happened to come across THIS book. I should have realized it was NOT about the 1947 tour, from the photograph on the cover, (which shows QUEEN, not Princess Elizabeth, accepting flowers from a little Fijian girl, in 1953-54. (The clothing the Queen wears is NOT like any of her outfits on the 1947 trip. I should have realized that.) However, the book's title: "THE Royal Tour, A Souvenir Album", does suggest it is about THE most memorable tour, (at least in my own estimation), the Royal Tour of South Africa in 1947, when King George VI was yet alive, and not only Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), was there, but BOTH of his daughters were there as well, to lend extra charm and charisma to the visit. A happy, family-centered tour, indeed!

However, time marches on for all of us -- and the book herein reviewed, details not just one Royal Tour, but many of them! The words, "The Royal Tour", as used in the title of THIS book, is a generalized heading for ALL Royal Tours. Published in 2009, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the British Commonwealth of Nations, it is contains a description of the Royal Tours undertaken by the Queen from the beginning of her reign until 2002, with many copious illustrations -- several, in fact, on each and every page of the book, (except for the "Summary/Index" pages at the back of it), depicting the Queen's wardrobe, gifts given to her, and, (especially at the beginning of every chapter), a memorable scene from each particular tour area.

Upon opening the book, the reader is given a picture of a delightful chess-set, given to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, on a tour of South Africa, depicting members of the Zulu and Ndebele tribes, in native dress. On the endpapers, and pages facing them, at both the beginning and end of the book, are myriad small picture of flags of the Commonwealth nations. On the next page, facing the title page, is a beautiful view of one of the Queen's many evening gowns, this one a creme lace, full-skirted, off-the shoulder gown. The title page has a picture of two miniature thrones. one slightly smaller than the other, the larger one with a miniatrue footstool. given to the Queen on a tour of Nigeria, in 1956. On the back of this age is copyright information, (the book is an Official Publication of Royal Collection Enterprises, Ltd.), and below it is a wonderful coulour picture of another of the Queen's gifts -- a statue group in what looks to be of gold-painted wood, depicting a royal personage being accompanied, behind, by a sword-carrying servant, with both of them

shaded by an umbrella, whilst being carried in a sedan-chair by eight other servants, led by a ninth, and accompanied by a tenth, on the side, carrying the umbrella. Given to the Queen in 1961, it depicts a Ghahanian royal procession -- and, in my own humble opinion, it is truly artwork worthy of a Pharaoh's tomb!

The tours inside are not arranged chronologically, but by the areas visited. Though no table of contents is within this small book, it is easy to go through it and, after reading the introductory pages, which give an overview of the 60 years of the British Commonwealth's existence, and which also have pictures of the Queen's gifts, travels, gowns, gifts and jewellery, on all pages, (but one), it is easy to leaf through this small, but amazingly comprehenive book and find the chaptrs on Royal Tours to "Africa", to "Asia", to

"Australia and New Zealand", to "Canada", to the "Caribbean and Central America", and to "Island Peoples and Pacific Realms". Each chapter, as I have said, is absolutely FILLED with well-spaced, but copious pictures of the Queen's clothing worn on tours to that area, (mainly evening gowns), gifts given to her, and pictures of her on various adventures during these tours. Each chapter is a treasure-trove for designers, historians, and royal-watchers, alike!

The back of the book, are listed "Royal Tours and Visits to Commonwealth Countries", from 1953 - 2007. These tours are listed, first, under the area visited, and then, in chronological order of visits there. On the last page of this section are illustrations of the covers of three other books in this Royal series, "Part 3 -- The Royal Tour To Australia", "Part 2 -- The Royal Tour to New Zealand". and "The Royal Visit To Uganda". Following this, is another section, "Illustrations", detailing copyright, and other information on the various illustrations.

This book depicts many treasures -- and is, itself a treasure. It cannot, of course, give pictures and descriptiosn of ALL the events and articles used and given on all of the royal tours -- but the sampling here is more than is needed to take one's breath away. Printed on sturdy white paper, with smallish, (but very well-spaced) print, this book is bursting with photos of Royal memorabilia, treasures, hats -- and spectacular suits, jewellery and evening gowns. It is a delightful, privileged "peek" into what goes on during, and what is exchanged as gifts, within, royal tours and visits. As it contains many pictures of the Queen, as well, one can, if one concentrates on the expressions on her face -- especially in the informal photos -- discern something of her personality from them. For myself, I see a person always intereste in the lives, (and the welfare), of those she meets. It would be easy for someone of her wealth and position to ignore the welfare of others -- but I don't think the Queen is like that. There is a saying, "There is as much of a chance of a rich person going to Heaven as there is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle." To which I give the reply, "But I'm willing to give it the old college try." I firmly believe the Queen has already done so -- and succeeded admirably!

This book is a tribute to her fortitude in going through all these myriad tours through the year. The treasures are breath-taking -- but so is the admirable personality of the Queen who has undertaken them! Long Live -- and God Save -- The Queen! { : )

This book is interesting because it shows some of the gifts the Queen received during tours as well as photos from those times. The book seemed a bit shallow in that more could have been shared in the story line. I gathered that it had been written to be a compilation of information from years gone by in response to questions (that's what I think); however, the depth that could make it a really interesting book isn't there.