TNAG-0100-FCO40-136-Hong-Kong-royal-visits-1968 — Page 36

CONFIDENTIAL

(0) It was The Queen's view that a visit to the Soviet Union historical exhibition might appropriately be made by Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon but she had not yet discussed the matter with Princoss Margaret. Nothing should be said to the Soviet Government until March 1968. The Foreign Secretary had approved the proposed visit in principle, but further reference would need to be made to Ministers at a later stage and before any announce- ment was made.

(f) The Governor of Hong Kong was anxious that a member of the Royal Family should be present for the opening of the Plover Cove water supply scheme in October or November 1968, but at this stage this could only be noted as a possibility for later consideration.

.

(6) Nothing should be said to the Italian Government until the now year about the proposed State Visit by the President of Italy, to which The Queen had agreed in principle; but it would be necessary for Sir Michael Adeane to know by 1st January 1968 whether the visit was to take place.

(h) The President of the Malagasy Republic would be invited to lunch at Buckingham Palace but there would be no other Royal engagement during the visit.

(1) There had been very good relations with Afghanistan for a number of years; proposed State Visits by the King of Afghanistan had had to be deferred on previous occasions and the Foreign Office were anxious that such a Visit should now be arranged. The only appropriate time during 1968 would be in November. This should be noted as a possibility and considered further at the next meeting of the Committee.

(j) The Foreign Office were also anxious to arrange for The Duke of Edinburgh to visit Afghanistan, and the climate would be suitable for this from March onwards; but this would depend on whether the King of Afghanistan would pay a State Visit to this country.

(k) Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia would be invited to dine with The Queen only if he were visiting Europe, and it was not known whether he would be doing so.

(1) The Agong of Malaysia was unlikely to make much inpression on the public in this country. If an invitation were to be issued to Malaysia it should be to Tunku Abdul Rahman rather than the Agong. There was no mention in the schedule of a visit to Malaysia and while this was no doubt inevitable at present the matter should be kept under review. Meantime the proposal to invite the Agong should be abandoned.

-2-

CONFIDENTIAL