The Queen's sister visited Jamaica to celebrate the pride and joy of the country as it celebrated its first Independence. She was accompanied by her husband, and the two were welcomed by thousands at the airport.

Published Thursday, August 4, 1962

JAMAICA WELCOMES THE PRINCESS

•            Thousands cheer Royal visitor on route from airport

•            City provides dazzling spectacle

JAMAICA, braced to celebrate national Independence in three days’ time, yesterday gave a restrained but colourful welcome to Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret as she stepped off the BOAC airliner that brought her from London to Kingston to officiate on behalf of her sister, the Queen, at the ceremonies marking the birth of a new nation.

Accompanied by her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, the Princess made a gay picture as she moved down the ramp and on to Jamaican soil for the first time in seven years to be greeted by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Kenneth Blackburne, and the Premier, the Hon Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Princess Margaret held the centre of the stage from the moment of her arrival, and all eyes followed her as she went through her formal duties of mounting the saluting base to receive the Royal Salute from the First Battalion, Jamaica Regiment, and the Jamaica Military Band. She was introduced to high dignitaries of Church and State from under a canopy decorated in the national colours that shielded her from the brilliant sunshine.

More than once, she smiled warmly as she chatted with Sir Alexander, resplendent in a grey morning suit.

Plane touches down

About 1,000 people who crowded the waving gallery of the terminal building saw the early arrival of the leading citizens, the bishops, legislators, as well as representatives of foreign friendly powers.

The first moment of colour came when the Jamaica Regiment with colour-bearer followed by the white-tunicked Jamaica Military Band marched on to the tarmac and took up their positions as guard of honour before the saluting base.

Precisely at 10.20 a.m., the governor, attired in his Windsor uniform and plumed helmet, and accompanied by Lady Blackburne, arrived at the pavilion. They were met by Sir Alexander Bustamante.

The governor, escorted by Brigadier Paul Crook, chief of staff, then mounted the rostrum and took the Royal Salute before returning to the pavilion.

A hush came over the crowd as the BOAC airliner came into view, touched down, and taxied past the troops and into position for the welcome ceremonies.

Then came the dramatic moment as the princess walked into view through the door of the aircraft, smilingly descended the steps and on to Jamaican soil for the governor and the premier to greet her.

The governor presented Brigadier Paul Crook, who conducted the princess - attended by Captain Alastair Aird, equerry, and Captain Rudolph Green, Jamaican equerry - to the saluting base where Lieut. Colonel David Smith, officer commanding the First Battalion, was presented.

The princess mounted the saluting base and received the Royal Salute. Then on invitation of Captain Ken Barnes, commander of the guard of honour, she inspected the troops.

The princess received a second Royal Salute then moved from the saluting dias to under the canopy in front of the pavilion, where the following persons were presented to her.

The Rt. Rev. Percival Gibson, Bishop of Jamaica; the Rt. Rev. John J. McEleney, Roman Catholic Bishop of Kingston; the Rt. Rev S U. Hastings, chairman of the Jamaica Christian Council.

The Hon. Donald Sangster, Minister of Finance; the Hon. Robert Lightburne, Minister of Trade and Industry and Mrs Lightburne; the Hon. Edwin Allen, Minister of Education and Mrs Allen; the Hon. Clement Tavares, Minister of Housing; the Hon. Edward Seaga, Minister of Development and Welfare,;the Hon. Herbert Eldemire, Minister of Health and Mrs Eldemire; the Hon. Lynden Newland, Minister of Labour and Mrs Newland; the Hon. John P. Gyles, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and Mrs Gyles; the Hon. Roy McNeil, Minister of Home Affairs and Local Government,;the Hon. Kenneth Jones, Minister of Communications and Works and Mrs Jones; the Hon. Neville Ashenheim, Minister without Portfolio and Mrs Ashenheim. the Hon. Hugh Shearer, Minister without Portfolio and Mrs Shearer; the Hon. Wilson Hill, Minister without Portfolio and Mrs Hill.

After Presentations

The Hon. C. C. Campbell;President of the Senate and Mrs Campbell; President of the Senate and Mrs Campbell; the Hon. Tacius Golding; Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mrs Golding.

The Hon. Sir Colin MacGregor; the Chief Justice and Lady MacGregor; the Hon. J. L. Cundall ;President of the Court of Appeal and Mrs Cundall; the Hon. Victor B. Grant; Attorney General and Mrs Grant.

Mr Norman Manley Leader of the Opposition and Mrs Manley; the Hon. Dr L. M. Moody; Custos of Kingston and Mrs Moody;the Hon. Russell Graham; Custos of St Andrew and Mrs Graham; Mr T.E. Sealy;Chairman of the Independence Celebrations Committee, Mr. Noel Crosswell;Commissioner of Police and Mrs Croswell.

Presentations over the Princess entered her car accompanied by His Excellency the Governor with the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Blackburne in a second car. Sir Alexander Bustamante in a third and proceeded along the designated route to the King George V1 Memorial Park.

Along the route, which comprised Windward Road, Victoria Avenue, East Queen Street, the Parade, King, North and East Streets, thousands of children and adults greeted the princess and her husband.

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