2.
exceptional cases only and that preference should be given to Hospitals, Universities and similar bodies,
(a) As it is unlikely that many institutions
which have been granted the title "Royal" will disappear, the number of new recommend ations should steadily decrease with the years. Otherwise in time almost every reputable organisation would have this prefix, which would become increasingly meaningless. The more jealously it is guarded, the more valued it will remain.
We can find no recent cases of requests for the title "Royal" in respect of a "National" body. No doubt most similar cases where the title has been granted are of long standing.
3. Whilst I would hesitate to predict the success of such a request, it seems to me difficult to visualise a strong case not at variance with the principles set down and submitted by the Secretary of State being turned down.
4.
You may be interested in the following, recorded in 1938:
"Desire of H.M. that the S/S will bear
in mind the desirability of encouraging some of the non-sporting movements in the
Colonies by making occasional recommendations for the grant of this privilege."
Mr Ellis
告
(A.H. ELLIS)
Commonwealth Policy and
Planning Department
CO DS
Tel. C 730
24 September, 1968
I regret that I omitted to ask also for
your comments on para. 2 (a) of the Governor's
letter where he suggests that a member of the
Royab Family be asked to be "Commandant- General" of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Auxiliary Police. As you see he puts this forward simultaneously with the "Royal" title suggestion on the grounds that grant of the
title by itself would not have too much meaning for the rank and file.
Norman A. Smith
N.A.SMITH
26 September 1968