When Prince Philip came to Manawatu¯
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the Manawatu¯ region on three occasions during his lifetime.
He first arrived in Manawatu¯ alongwith his wife, the newlycrowned Queen Elizabeth II, on 7 January 1954.
After spending some time in Hawke’s Bay, the pair arrived in Palmerston North, by train, after public welcomes in Waipawa, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, and Woodville.
Thousands of adoring royal fans turned out to The Square to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
News reports at the time said around three in four New Zealanders managed to see the pair in the flesh during their tour of New Zealand, such was the hype.
Prince Philip visited more than 50 towns during the tour, and while in Palmerston North for one-night-only, they stayed at The Grand on The Square.
That night they dined at a civic reception and civic dinner, held in the upper floor dining room of the tea rooms at the department store, Cmross. The Cmross building is now home to the modern day Palmerston North City Library.
Following the dinner, the royal couple took to the balcony of the hotel to the rapturous cheers from thousands who had gathered below.
The Duke and Queen Elizabeth II stayed in a specially designed suite with fresh flowers and his and hers bedrooms, decorated in muted pastel colours. Furniture from those rooms were later auctioned off.
After theirwhirlwind stay in Palmerston North, on January 8, the royal couple departed for their public welcomes at Feilding, Marton Junction, followed by a civic reception in Whanganui.
The day after the royal visit, Palmerston North Council staff were reported to have voiced their displeasure at having to clean up after royal fans who camped out overnight in front of the hotel.
The Duke’s next visit to Palmerston North took part in March, 1970, as part of their New Zealand tour.
This time, the royal couple brought along Prince Charles and Princess Anne as part of the James Cook bicentenary celebrations.
While the train no longer stopped in The Square, the Duke accompanied the Queen on a royal ‘walk-about’ – inwhat became a regular feature in royal tours.
The pair visited Massey University and the research institute, aswell as a drivethrough Fitzherbert Park to wave to schoolchildren.
In what would be his final visit to the Manawatu¯ region, the Duke and the Queen arrived in Palmerston North in February 1977 as part of her celebration of her silver jubilee – 25 years on the throne.
Staying just amatter of hours, the pair flew in from Gisborne for a luncheon at midday and then left again by 3pm, bound for Wellington.
While here, they walked through Te Marae o Hine/the Square and travelled by Landrover to The Steeple Restaurant on Fitzherbert Ave where they were greeted by Brian Elwood, mayor of Palmerston North.