Reference...
with (19
Mr. Ellis (Protocol and Conference Department)
We spoke about (19). I understand that the next step is an informal approach to Princess Alexandra to find out whether she would be able and willing to undertake the appointment of Honorary Commandant General of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. You agreed that this should be done by your Department. Assuming that this approach is successful, it will presumably then be necessary to make formal submissions, both to the Palace and to Princess Alexandra. We have not yet informed the Governor of (19) but I do not think that we would want to do so, at any rate until after we know the result of our informal approach to Princess Alexandra. We shall at some stage have to agree with the Governor on the simultaneous timing of announcements both here and in Hong Kong: there will presumably also be the question of publication in the Gazettes both here and in Hong Kong.
2.
The point should perhaps be made here that the two proposals of according the title "Royal" to the Forces and of the appointment of a member of the Royal Family as Commandant General, are complementary. In other words, we would not wish to make any announce- ment of one without the other.
3.
As you know, there is some urgency about this matter in view of the enquiries which have been addressed to the Prime Minister by Lieutenant Commander Lynch Maydon on this subject.
12 February, 1969
(A. W. Gaminara) Hong Kong Department
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.