P. M. No 942/ 1962
VISIT OF HER iMAJESTY QUEEiT ELIZABETH II AND
TI-7. DUKE-c OFL EDINBURGH
The following statement is issued simultaneously
in London, Canberra and Wellington at 3 p. m. tonight.
In London, by Buckingham Palace; in Australia, by the Acting
Prime Minister; and in New Zealand, by the Prime Minister
" The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, at the
invitation of the Governments of Australia and New
Zealand, will visit New Zealand and Australia in
February-March of 1963. They will spend about a
fortnight in New Zealand, before proceeding to
Australia for about four weeks, where they will pay
a necessarily brief visit to each State. They will
be in Canberra during the celebrations in connection
with the 50th Anniversary Year of the Capital."
The Acting Prime Minister, M1r. McEwen, adds the
following statement
" This news will be received . with the greatest
of pleasure by all Australians. Every one of Her
Majesty's subjects in Australia will be delighted
to know that Our Queen and His Royal Highness have
been pleased to accept the invitation, extended on
behalf of the Government by Mr. LIenzies during his
recent visit to. London, to spend some time with us
early next year. Her Majesty and Prince Philip
will receive the very warmest welcome. Whilst the
prime purpose of the visit will be to celebrate
Canberra's Jubilee fear, I am sure that all
Australians will be pleased to know that The Queen
and The Duke will visit each State, even though
these visits will be short.
Canberra,. 21st June, 1962.
AK'( GROUND STATE M~ NT
The precise date of The Queen's arrival in
Australia and the point of arrival are not yet know-n.
It is expected, however, that Her Majesty will arrive
in Canberra about the middle of February and will visit
the States before returning to Canberra for the Jubilee
Celebrations on 12th March, 1963.
" Canberra" was named by Lady Denman, wife of
the then Governor-General, on 12th March, 1913. This
-was nart of an historic ceremony held on Capital Hill
iimr. eicately behind the opresent Parliament House building.
On that day the Governor-Goneral, Lord Denman, the Prime
Ilinister, Andrew Fisher and the iMinister for Home Affairs,
King,-O'Illley each laid a Foundation Stone of a
C crL' e nc ement Colurn.
Her Majesty will travel by air.
Canberra, 21st June, 1962.