In honour of 70 years of the throne, senior members of the Royal Family are touring the United Kingdom and parts of the Commonwealth. With The Princess Royal set to visit Papua New Guinea in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, Royal Central is taking a look at past Jubilee visits to the country.
The Queen marked her first visit to the country in February 1974 alongside The Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh. A few years later in March of 1977, she returned for her Silver Jubilee Tour. During that visit, Her Majesty received a tour of the capital Port Moresby, Popondetta, and Alotau.
In the country, Her Majesty is known as Missis Kwin. When it comes to day-to-day issues, she is represented by a Governor-General who carries out the duties of the head of state. While she is not directly involved with government matters, Her Majesty does play an important and symbolic role in the country. She has been the current monarch since 16 September 1975 when the country became fully independent.
The Prince of Wales alongside the Duchess of Cornwall journeyed to the country in 2012 in honour of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. While abroad, the Prince spoke to crowds in the capital about his mother’s reign and the special relationship she has with the country. At an event, he remarked: “This is a great day and a magnificent spectacle. We are gathered here to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years of service to others. I know how honoured Her Majesty is to be your Queen, a title borne by her with immense pride and renewed by the people of this great country upon independence in 1975.”
The couple arrived on the island for the first leg of a two-week tour of the Commonwealth which also included visits to Australia and New Zealand. The 2012 visit marked the fourth visit to the country for the Prince of Wales and the first for the Duchess.
