64/ 09i5
E~ MBARGO NOT TO BE CABLED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE
7.00 P. M. E. S. T. ON THURSDAY 16TH JULY, 1964.
FOR PRESS P. M. No. 54/ 1964.
VISIT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARINA, DUCHESS OF KENT
Statemnent by the Acting Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. John McEwen, M. P.
The Acting Prime Minister today announced the dates and
itinerary which Her Royal Highness Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent,
has accepted for her visit to Australia later this year. The visit
will be for almost two weeks and its main purpose is for Her Royal
Highness to have the opportunity o f visiting the British Exhibition
which will be held in Sydney from Friday, 25th September to Saturday
October,, Mr. McEwen added that Her Royal Highness would not be
undertaking visits to all States and said that this was in accord with
the Government's aim to have Royal Visits rather than Royal Tours. By
associating these visits with a specific occasion, it was possible to
eliminate many aspects of a formal tour.
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER Morning Arrive at Canberra
S MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER Engagements in Canberra
TUESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER)
WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER Afternoon Leave by air for Sydney
Engagements in Sydney
THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER Depcart from Sy dneyy by air for London
Mr. McEwen also released the programme of engagements which
Her Royal Highness will undertake in Canberra:-
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER
Morning Arrive at R. A. A. F. Base, Fairbairn
Stay at Government House
SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
Morning Attend Divine Service at St. John's Church
Evening Dinner at Prime Minister's Lodge e 0
-2-
MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER
Morning Visit Australian War Memorial
Lay wreath, view Roll of Honour, Hall of Memory
and visit Galleries
Proceed to Canberra City for drive through
Commercial Centre.
( BACKGROUND NOTE There will be assemblies
of school-children along the route)
Afternoon At Government House Receive Heads of Diplomatic
Missions
* 0 Attend Garden Party
Evening Dinner at Government House
O0 TUESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER
Morning Visit W. R. A. N. S. at H. M. A. S. HARMVAN
Luncheon with Commonwealth High Commissioners
at Canberra House
Evening Attend Reception at Parliament House
WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
Afternoon Leave R. A. A. F. Base, Fairbairn, by air for Sydney.
Mr. McEwen concluded by saying that Her Royal Highness would feel
very much at home in Australia and would be received warmly and sincerely
by the Australian people. It would be Princess Marina's first visit to
this country and many would remember the sorrowful circumstances which
prevented her from being in Australia with her late husband The Duke of
Kent, who, before his tragic death on Active Service had accepted a
term of appointment as Australia's Governor-General.
BACKGROUND NOTE
The Premier of New South Wales will announce separately
the programme of engagements for Princess Marina's visit to Sydney.
CANBERRA 16th July, 1964.