75th Anniversary of Royal Tour to South Africa in 1947

 Day 61: 1st April 1947 Programme Royal Family leave for Johannesburg by car from Pretoria Visit to the opening of the Rand Agricultural Show Civic reception in City Hall Drive though the streets of Johannesburg Turffontein race course for the Kings Cup Afternoon reception at City Hall From balcony at City Hall a parade by war veterans State Banquet for King & Queen followed by Fireworks Dinner party for Princesses and ball afterwards Return to Pretoria for overnight stay The City of Johannesburg was not a provincial capital and possessed no great official residence which could be used to house the Royal Party hence the return to Government House in Pretoria. This was a 30 mile journey and it gave the Royal Family a chance to see local residents before reaching the city. Also on their return at Dusk there was a lovely sunset. The Royal train moved up to Johannesburg to provide accommodation for the entourage. Postal covers dated the 1st April 1947 they show the Southern Rhodesia st

 Day 60: 31st March 1947 All day in Pretoria Postmark for the day is for the 31st March 1947 posted in Swaziland. These are some pictures I believe are from Pretoria based on one picture that mentions Pretoria. A picture from the ILN  This is a page from a collection of mine which shows 2 covers that look pretty similar but subtle  difference re the crown colouring in particular.

 Day 59: 30th March 1947 All Day in Pretoria This is a Sunday so it was a private Day. No postal Cover for today so another one for the 29th March 1947 Picture from a magazine after the Royal Family had attended Church Some time during the visit to Pretoria the Royal Family visited General Smut's farm, Doornkloof, Irene, to see Mrs Smuts, and spent time with her. They had tea with "Ouma,"who afterwards strolled with them round the gardens.

 Day 58: 29th March 1947 Programme 10.00am Arrive Pretoria By car to Government House where the Royal Family stayed till Monday 7th April Postal Cover for the 29th March 1947 An introduction to Pretoria An invite to the Welcome Ceremony for the Royal Family Here are some pictures from a magazine More pictures from ILN

 Day 57: 28th March 1947 Morning spent in the Kruger Reserve 3.00pm Depart from Pretorius Kop by car for Nelspruit 5.30pm Depart Nelspruit by Train Postal Cover for the 28th March 1947 In introduction to Nelspruit. Menu for the day for those on the Royal Train and on the Reverse the Train layout A picture from a magazine of the visit to Nelspruit

 Day 56: 27th March 1947 Programme 6.00am  Arrive Huhia Station, near Skukuza in the Kruger Game Reserve All day in the Reserve Return to the Train Postal cover for today the 27th March and very few photo opportunities. Newspaper reports on the day state this was meant to be a private day but there were a lot of cars following the Royal Family. The King & Queen were in one car and the King drove a lot of the time. The Princesses were in a car behind. This is a link to Pathe news for a small clip. Royal Tour 1946 / 1947 - British Pathé (britishpathe.com) A picture from a magazine The Luncheon Menu

 Day 55: 26th March 1947 Programme  9.30am arrive Ermelo 10.30 pm depart Ermelo Stop off at Standerton Train travels towards Kruger National Park Postal cover from the 26th March 1947 with the Ermelo postmark. Postal Cover for the 26th March 1947 the reverse shows the postmark better Information about Ermelo  Pictures from the ILN Introduction to Standerton and postmark HMS Vanguard A passage from the Captain's Diary: The ship passed though the anchorage off Port Elizabeth at 0800, there was a heavy swell and the Captain states he took the decision to call off the the intended visit of Friday, Saturday and Sunday because of the weather conditions. The information was signalled to the Commander in Chief asking him to relay this information to the authorities so events could be cancelled which related to HMS Vanguard. The ship then passed  close to Port Alfred at 1400 and then anchored off East London at 1820. There was a heavy swell. Extra cover for the 26th March 1947