XN000022-1975-03-29 — Page 4

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