TNAG-0360-FCO40-396-Visit-of-HRH-Princess-Alexandra-and-the-Hon-Angus-Ogilvy-to--1972 — Page 4

D

E

F

3.

In the event the Chinese did not issue an invitation

to the Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State did not raise the possibility of a visit by Princess Alexandra. The Private Secretary informed The Queen's Private Secretary

of this, and added that the possibility of a visit by the Princess could be pursued later, either by Mr Addis in Peking

or with the Chinese Ambassador in London.

Argument

4.

The suggestion for a visit by the Princess originated

with Sir John Keswick. It was made at a time when there

was general enthusiasm for the improved state of our relations

with China. The Governor of Hong Kong, however, took a more

cautious view, and suggested that it was not necessarily to our advantage to hurry the timing of a Royal Visit.

5. The Secretary of State's visit itself has confirmed

the wisdom of caution. The Chinese did not invite the Prime

Minister, and implied that they are unlikely to do so before their own Foreign Minister has visited London (probably in mid-summer 1973). Although the absence of a Prime Ministerial

visit in the autumn removes one of the arguments against a

visit by the Princess in July (namely that following the

visit of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to

the British Industrial Exhibition in March this would have

given rise to too many high level British visits to Peking in one year), it nevertheless makes it less appropriate that

the Princess should go to China quite so soon. Her Majesty The Queen's reservations were based on general considerations as well as the desirability of the Princess following rather

/than

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CONFIDENTIAL