CO885-(20-21) — Page 207

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TEL C.O.885

ساس

Confidential.

Memorandum of Instructions as to the Reception of Heads of States and other Distinguished Foreigners on Visits to the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories

to 247

I.

General principles to be noted.

Although the Governor or High Commissioner in any of the Colonies, Protec- torates or Mandated Territories, as representing the Sovereign, retains his right to precedence in all circumstances, he will recollect that the Sovereign himself, as a matter of courtesy, waives his precedence in certain cases. While, therefore, the Governor must maintain the dignity of the Crown, he must be careful to observe, when necessary, even a higher degree of courtesy than that which might be exercised by his Sovereign; and the ensuing instructions are intended to indicate such occasions.

It must be remembered that the wife of a Governor has no official position similar to that of her husband, and has no claim to precedence in that respect.

II.

In regard to the status of the visitors contemplated by this Memorandum, no distinction should be made as between Heads of Sovereign States-that is to say, the same marks of respect must be shown to all, whether it be the Sovereign of the smallest Principality, or reigning Grand Duke, an Eastern Potentate, or the Head of a first-class European Power.

But a distinction should be made in certain cases between-

(1) a reigning Sovereign;

(2) an heir to a Throne;

(3) other members of Royal Families.

It should be noted that special instructions will usually be issued in regard

to visits of members of the British blood royal.

III.

In the event of a royal visitor who holds a high naval, military or air force command arriving in a British Colony on duty, his reception will be regulated by his royal precedence, the naval, military, or air force rank being merged in the royal rank.

IV. Reception.

On the arrival and reception of the Head of a State or a royal visitor, the following points arise and require especial and careful attention:-

(1) Salutes.—The salute to be accorded on entry into the waters of a Colony, or on landing.

This is laid down by the King's Regulations, the material parts of which are as follows:-

(i) Admiralty Instructions:-*

36. All Royal Salutes are to consist of 21 guns (except in India)

40. Whenever any members of the Royal Family shall arrive at, or quit, any place where there is a fort or battery from which salutes are usually fired, they shall receive a Royal Salute on their first arrival and final departure, from such fort or battery, and from all His Majesty's ships present

43. Whenever any foreign Crowned Heads or Sovereign Princes, or the consorts of any foreign Crowned Heads or Sovereign Princes, or the President of a Republic, shall arrive at or quit any place in His Majesty's dominions where there is a fort or battery from which salutes are usually fired, they shall receive a Royal Salute on their first arrival and again on their final departure, from such fort or battery and from any ships present, and from any ship, on her arrival or departure, which may arrive at or leave that place during the stay of such foreign personage; a similar salute is to be fired upon their going on board or leaving any of His Majesty's ships. On such occasions all ships shall be dressed either overall or with masthead flags as may be ordered

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King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions 1926.

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