香港總督府
LAST
REF
NEXT REF.
Der fromwyć
2. HiLED (Masika cc - 3. SEAD (Mr. Squ
ce
GOVERNMENT HOUSE HONG KONG
HOUSEY (7) Athraw
2375.
14th May 1975
This is just a personal line, in advance of a despatch, to let you know that the visit of The Queen and Prince Philip to Hong Kong passed off well.
We arranged things with a minimum of ceremonial or formality and staked the success of the visit on putting the royal couple as much as possible in direct contact with the population. the latter are as warm hearted as they are shrewd, and
As you know we had no doubt that provided they got a chance to see for themselves, and to feel the visit was to all Hong Kong and not just the nobs, they would react right. This is what happened; the Queen and Prince for their part played up splendidly, and the warmth and spontaneity of their reception was quite extraordinary. I only wish you and Helen had been there to see it.
Though no doubt the local effect will be ephemeral, for the moment it has given a sense of re- assurance as well as a badly needed diversion in a depressing period. I also think it provoked some new and favourable reappraisal of Britain and Hong Kong's dependence on Britain.
Throughout the police were superb, and nobody who saw the easy and good humoured way they dealt with the immense crowds could seriously question either the morale of the Force or its relationship with the public.
Now it is over and we have got back to business. Very many thanks for all the F.C.O.'s help in finding homes elsewhere for our Vietnamese refugees. It is a great relief and encouragement to all here who are grappling with the problem.
The only other developments of significance since I saw you in London have been a slight up-turn in
The Rt Hon the Lord Goronwy-Roberts
of Caernarvon and of Ogwen,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
London.
ENT