TNAG-0286-FCO40-322-Visits-of-HRH-Princess-Alexandra-to-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 54

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CONFIDENTIAL

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M. Baker

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Mr. Wiford

Sir Leslie Monson

(Submissur

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Sir Denis Greenhill

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Proposed Visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra

to Hong Kong (and Malaysia) in 1970

Problem

The Royal Visits Committee has expressed doubts as to whether a suggested visit by HRH Princess Alexandra to Hong Kong and Malaysia in 1970 should hold its place in the programme of Royal Visits for 1970/71. It is desired to ask the Committee to reconsider the

matter in the light of further information now available.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that the Royal Visits Committee be asked to give further consideration to the possibility of an official visit by Princess Alexandra to Hong Kong in 1970 on the basis that, if financial provision is the obstacle to a visit, the Governor would, in the last resort, be prepared to ask his Standing Finance Committee to vote the necessary Colony funds to meet the costs (or a share of the costs) involved.

Background

3. We were unsuccessful in our efforts to have Hong Kong included in Princess Alexandra's itinerary when Her Royal Highness visited Singapore and Bangkok in August 1969; because of other commitments

Her Royal Highness was unable to extend the period of her absence

from the UK. However, the Princess herself then offered to visit Hong Kong (and Malaysia) in 1970 and the Governor welcomed this

subject to the usual proviso concerning the situation in the Colony

at the time. The proposed visit was accordingly referred to the Royal Visits Committee, but at their last meeting (on 30 October)

the Committee were doubtful whether it should hold its place in the programme of State visits for 1970/71. It is not knon on what grounds the Committee's doubts were based, e.g. whether they were due to pressure on available funds.

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