Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips spent a bustling day in Jamaica, moving from their warm airport welcome to a series of official engagements across the Corporate Area. The Royal couple lunched at King’s House, toured the Lister Mair-Gilbey School for the Deaf, visited the National Children’s Home, and met crowds at Hope Gardens before ending the evening with dinner and a concert hosted by the governor-general. Their packed schedule reflected Jamaica’s enthusiasm and the couple’s gracious engagement with well-wishers throughout the day.

Published Thursday, December 13, 1973

THE STAR

Anne, Mark get fine reception

THE HANDS OF THE CLOCK had just touched 27 minutes past noon when a two-engined jet aircraft of the QUEEN’S Flight (coloured red, white and blue) touched down at the Norman Manley International Airport with the Royal honeymooners, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips. When the plane rolled to a stop, the couple emerged dead on time.
Princess Anne was a sunny figure in a mustard dress with black polka dots. It was cut on the hip line with the skirt pleated and had a break-collar forming a tie. The dress had long, leg-of-mutton sleeves with cuffs. She wore a fine black belt around the waist.
Captain Mark Phillips was in a light grey suit with a blue shirt and blue tie with white polka dots.
The Royal couple, tanned and smiling, were met by the Governor-General, the Most Honourable Florizel Glasspole, and other dignitaries.
Douglas McFarlane, assistant commissioner of police, and Area Superintendent I. A. Hooper were in charge of the police arrangements.
Deputy Superintendent Hermon Ricketts and Area Supt Hooper were in charge of the press arrangements.
The governor-general, the first of the dignitaries to arrive, waved to the small crowd who came to see the Royal visitors. A group of schoolchildren and their teachers from Brown’s Hall All-Age School in St Catherine, who had been on a visit to places of historic interest in the Corporate Area, were at the airport in time for the arrival.
There were scanty groups of people, mostly women and children, on the sidewalks en route to King’s House where Princess Anne and Captain Phillips had lunch with Their Excellencies and other dignitaries, including the Mayor, Councillor Algon Samuels. After lunch, they visited the Lister Mair-Gilbey School for the Deaf where they were met by Dr Douglas Manley, minister of youth and community development, and officials of the school. They were escorted around by the headmistress, Mrs Violet Clarke, and Mr Herbert Hall, chairman of the School Committee and chairman of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, and they were entertained by the children.
The Princess was presented with a gift-wrapped present by Charlette Baley of the school.
They also visited the National Children’s Home and Staff Training Centre, where they met Mr Ray Truman, Rev Caleb Cousins (Methodist administrator), and Mrs Cousins. They also met the house parents, staff and children, and Princess Anne was presented with a bouquet by little July Smith, age 3½.
The couple visited the Green House at Hope Gardens where they met Mr Keble Munn, minister of agriculture, officers from the ministry, and a very large crowd who tried to peep through any gap they could find.
In the evening the Royal visitors had dinner at King’s House where they met the Prime Minister, Mr. Michael Manley, Mrs Manley, and later attended a variety concert in the ballroom at King’s House.

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