INLSA
Loyal reader Roy Wood with his rare copy of a coronation special carried in The Natal Mercury, as The Mercury was then known, commemorating Queen Elizabeth IIs coronation. Picture: Colleen Dardagan
A collector by nature, 90-year-old Durban resident Roy Wood unfolds his precious copy of The Natal Mercury coronation special and remembers the day that he bought it on: June 2, 1952.
Queen Elizabeth II, 86, the second-longest serving monarch in British history, came to the throne on February 6, 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI.
This week celebrations are under way to celebrate the queen’s 60 years on the throne.
“I was 31 years old then and single; I only married when I was 34,” says Wood. “I went out early that morning to buy the paper and have kept it ever since.”
Wood reaches for another special feature showing photographs of the ceremony itself; of the newly crowned queen resplendent in her regalia.
Another, the commemorative programme, this time with coloured pictures of the young queen, and on the back page, her entire royal lineage.
“I was a cinema projectionist in those days. I was the one who opened Durban’s Piccadilly Arena Cinema. I remember we opened with Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years. It ran for seven weeks you know,” he chuckles.
Although Wood finds it difficult to remember dates, he remembers very clearly when he was able to get close up to the royal family when they visited the country in 1947.
A pile of old photographs show the streets of Pietermaritzburg lined with people waving the SA and British flags. A Scottish regiment resplendent in kilts, with bagpipes on their shoulders, march in formation followed by a phalanx of open-topped cars sweeping down the road.
The queen mother (then the king’s consort) and the king standing upright, she, waving a white gloved hand to the crowds. The then princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, following suit. “I helped with the news reel for the African Mirror. That’s how I got close to them and was able to take these pictures,” says Wood proudly.
He looks excitedly at his television. “I’ve got it all set up for the 60th jubilee celebrations I am going to watch them all,” he smiles happily.
l Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s 90-year-old husband, was taken to hospital yesterday with a bladder infection and would miss the rest of her diamond jubilee celebrations, Buckingham Palace said last night.
“The Duke of Edinburgh was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon, from Windsor Castle, as a precautionary measure after developing a bladder infection,” a palace statement read.
“Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a few days. He is, understandably, disappointed about missing this evening’s diamond jubilee concert and tomorrow’s engagements.”
The prince, the longest-serving British royal consort, appeared in good health on Sunday as he travelled on the royal barge in chilly conditions during a 1 000-boat river pageant for the jubilee.
The former Royal Navy commander saluted to passing boats, smiled and waved during the pageant. He was also in animated form at the Epsom Derby races on Saturday, waving his top hat at the crowds as the royals arrived.
In December, the outspoken royal was taken to hospital after complaining of chest pains, and underwent a successful coronary stent procedure. – Sapa-AFP 8P7
