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certainly be welcomed by the Afghan Royal Family; and that it would help to strengthen our ties with the Royal Family, who play a very important role in the Afghan political scene.
5. Mr Carter thought that the King might well wish to invite Princess Alexandra to stay at the Palace in Kabul and that it would be easy to organize an expedition for two or three days into the hills and perhaps to one of the King's mountain lodges. Princess Alexandra might also visit archaeological sites, perhaps under the auspices of the recently established Afghan Centre of the British Academy. Although there has been some recent trouble, particularly at the University in Kabul, security should not present a major problem. The King of Afghanistan's birthday, which is the national holiday and when the principal buzkashi games are played in Kabul, is normally celebrated on 15 October. It would be appropriate and enjoyable for Princess Alexandra to attend. However Mr Carter advised that before we proposed dates we should seek the advice of the mbassy in Kabul as to when Ramadan is likely to fall this year as this may affect the birthday celebrations. Ramadan will start towards the end of Cetober and it would be better to avoid this period, although a visit then would certainly not be impossible.
6. I do not think that there are likely to be any difficulties about over-flying. The RAP can advise
on this.
7.
I agree thet we should certainly not wish to encourage Princess Alexandra to pay a special visit to Kashmir at the present time.
8. I see no objection to Princess Alexandra visiting Gan on her return journey. The High Commissioner in Colombo should be informed and, subject to his views, I think that he in turn should advise the Maldivian Government. As The Queen has been so recently to Male I would not suggest that Princess Alexandra should also go to the capital.
27 April 1972
Cc:
Mr Wilford
I J M Sutherland
South Asian Department
Head of Hong Kong Dept
Miss Westwood, P & CD
Mr Stuart/r later/Hr Powell/Mr Valentine
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