ROYAL VISIT
PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, March 29, 1975
THE QUEEN'S IMMENSE ACCUMULATION OF EXPERIENCE
The Transformation Taking Place In Royal Ceremonials
The Queen's historic visit to Hong Kong in May will be marked,
in accordance with tradition, with a certain amount of ceremony and much
colour.
The first relates to the role of the Queen as the personification
of the state, and the second acknowledges the general wish of the public,
wherever the Queen goes to see as much of her as possible.
The Queen herself, though aware of the strenuousness of c
ceremonials, is fully dedicated to their need.
Ceremonials have always
been associated with British kings and queens.
In spite of the changes that have taken place with the altered
outlook of both the Sovereign and the people, certain traditional customs
and usages remain. Royal marriages, the birth of royal children, and
royal funerals are marked by public ceremony, though to a lesser degree
nowadays than in the past.
All the Queen's official travels abroad are undertaken in the
full glare of publicity, except for private intervals which are necessary
to enable the Queen, as head of the executive, an integral part of the
legislature, the head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the
:
/armed forces