The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
When the Queen came for Silver Jubilee visit
Never-before-seen images of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit to Dundee in 1977 can today be shown for the first time.
These photos, which have lain in DC Thomson’s East Kingsway archives for 45 years, were never developed from negatives. Until now.
Our photographers were sent to cover the visit in May 1977 but only a handful of shots were used in the following day’s paper.
The rest were boxed up and filed away and haven’t been looked at for decades.
The mine of negatives has revealed some true gems from the monarch’s visit where the royal party were greeted by thousands of well-wishers in Dundee.
She put a smile on people’s faces during what was a massively troubled year, with sky-high inflation, strikes, IRA bombings and social unrest all taking place during 1977.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived at Camperdown Park at 2.45pm to watch a display of youth activities following a morning visit to Perth.
More than 1,000 people turned out to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, and excitement got the better of some of the crowd who trampled down rope barriers to get closer to them.
The Queen and duke’s arrival was greeted by loud cheers and flag-waving before she moved across the lawn at Camperdown Park to plant a beech tree.
As Princess Elizabeth, she had planted a tree in Camperdown Park when it opened in 1946. By 1977, it took centre stage in the middle of the lawn.
Among the events laid on that year, were a display of Elizabethan dancing, flower arrangements and a Red Cross demonstration including baby bathing.
Prince Philip showed particular interest in the youth displays for his award scheme.
Next on the couple’s itinerary was a visit to Dundee’s Employment Rehabilitation Centre in Staffa Place, where they left to loud cheers from hundreds of people who were lining the departure route.
They then travelled back to City Square, but not before Prince Philip stopped at the Windmill Bar in Hilltown to acknowledge the cheers of the regulars.
Several thousand people were already in City Square to welcome the royal couple and every available vantage point had been occupied for several hours.
The proceedings were running 20 minutes behind schedule but they still found time to conduct a walkabout and chat to the delighted masses in the throng.
Then they took their seats in the Caird Hall to watch a performance by pupils from the Tayside Senior Choir and Tayside Schools Symphony Orchestra.
Dinner in the City Chambers followed, where the royal couple enjoyed themselves so much that they didn’t leave until 11.20pm – an hour later than scheduled.
As they walked along the red carpet out of the chambers, the evening’s 115 invited guests gave them a rousing version of the song “Will Ye No’ Come Back Again?’
Each guest had their own story to tell of how enchanted they had been by the evening and of the charm and friendliness shown by the royal couple.
The lord provost, who sat between the Queen and Prince Philip during the two-hour dinner, shared numerous jokes with his royal guests.
Red, white and blue candles were on every table and the diners had their meal to the accompaniment of a string ensemble playing quietly in the public gallery.
The noise level rose to a deafening roar, however, when the royal couple went up on to the balcony at the City Chambers at 10.55pm to wave to the sea of smiling faces below.
The Queen took time out before leaving to speak to a Courier reporter.
She spoke at length about the newspaper and said how much she enjoyed reading it during her visits to Scotland’s east coast.
She went on to say that the Queen Mother was particularly fond of The Courier.
That was because Angus was so well-known to her, given Glamis was her childhood home, and she wanted to keep up with local happenings.
The final word went to Her Majesty.
“I have enjoyed my visit to Dundee tremendously,” she said.
A sentiment indeed shared by the thousands who turned out to greet her in 1977.