Thousands gathered at the airport and even more lined the royal route to King’s House to get a glimpse of the Queen and her husband. The royal couple looked just as pleased to greet not only the government leaders but also the curious and excited spectators.

Published Monday, February 14, 1983

Jamaica welcomes the queen

-  Cheering crowds at airport and on royal route

Jamaicans yesterday gave a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her husband, HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, when they arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport, beginning their four-day royal visit to Jamaica, the fourth in 30 years.

The Queen and her husband’s visit coincide with the anniversary celebration of Jamaica’s 21st year as an independent nation.

A massive crowd, estimated by official count to be one of the largest ever to turn out for a visiting head of state, gave a tumultuous welcome to the Queen and her husband, in a continuous display of affection from the airport to King’s House.

From as early as 5 p.m., just under an hour before the scheduled time of arrival of the royal couple, hundreds of spectators assembled at the airport, adults and children, drawn from all walks of life, their common mission to get a glimpse of the royal party. The precincts of the airport was a kaleidoscope of colour with the flags of the 45 countries of the Commonwealth fluttering in the breeze, while the black, green and gold miniature Jamaican flags adorned the fences.

The ceremony at the airport began with a formation display by the First Battalion of the Jamaica Regiment, resplendent in their crimson tunic and black trousers, which provided the guard of honour. Commanded by Captain Stewart E. Saunders, they moved on to the tarmac.

At precisely 5:35 p.m. the Rt Ho. Edward Seaga and Mrs Seaga arrived by helicopter. Mr Seaga, smartly dressed in a gray suit, with a blue shirt and matching grey tie, took the salute, after which he was escorted to his position on the platform.

Five minutes later, the Queen’s representative in Jamaica, the Governor-General, the Most Hon Sir Florizel Glasspole, and Lady Glasspole, arrived, also by helicopter. His Excellency took the salute and joined the prime minister on the welcoming platform.

By this time, members of Cabinet, the Leader of the Opposition, Michael Manley; their wives, the chief ujstice of Jamaica, the Hon Kenneth Smith; members of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished citizens began taking up their positions on the tarmac, where they were to be presented to Her Majesty.

Precisely at 5:45 p.m., the first volley of the 21-gun salute boomed across the airport, signalling the approach of the silver and white Royal Air Force Jet.

Chill winds and an overcast sky had pervaded the airport, but, as the jet landed at 5:50 p.m. sharp, the sun broke through the clouds as if to show the royal couple the warmth for which Jamaica is well known.

Elegantly attired in an aquamarine pleated skirt suit patterned in white, with matching hat, white shoes and gloves, Her Majesty looked very relaxed and obviously very happy to revisit Jamaica as she emerged from the plane accompanied by the duke and other members of the royal party. Prince Philip was dressed in grey and blue.

As she came down from their craft onto the red carpeted ground, Her Majesty was met and welcomed by the governor-general, the prime minister and their wives, along with Major-General Robert Neish, chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, and the Commissioner of Police Joseph Williams. The welcome was warm and affectionate.

Her Majesty was then escorted by the governor-general to the days where she took the Royal Salute, after which she inspected the Guard of Honour.

Next, Prime Minister Seaga presented the members of the Cabinet, starting with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Hugh Shearer; their wives, the Leader of the Opposition, Michael Manley, the Ppesident of the Senate, the Hon Oswald Harding, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Talbert Forrest: the chief justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Zacca; the chairman of the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Rev C. Evans Bailey. They had a country bow and a pretty curtsey for the Queen.

Other important persons were presented to Her Majesty by the governor-general and the Chief of Protocol, Donald Davidson, ending the 20-minute ceremony at the airport.

As the 15-car procession made its way from the airport to King’s House, the royal couple party was greeted with cheers and flying flags by hundreds of people, including excited children, many of whom were seeing the Queen for the first time, who had gathered along the route from early afternoon. From various advantage points they tried to get a glimpse of the royal couple.

The excitement among the crowd at the Harbour View roundabout reached its pitch as they caught sight of the pilot car. Parents held children above their heads to give them a better view. The crowd's cheers were acknowledged by the royal couple, who smiled radiantly and waved back at the crowd from the elegance of the King’s House limousine.

The crowd continued cheering as the motorcade cruised along — some waving Union Jacks. By the Bellevue Hospital, inmates could be seen looking over the fence.

Policemen and policewomen, smartly dressed in their official white and black suits with red seams, lined the route, joining in the welcome.

On reaching Upper Lady Musgrave Road, the motorcade was welcomed by a resounding cheer from the people who were clapping, waving handkerchiefs, flags and bits of paper.  All along the 14-mile route from the airport to King’s House, crowds were waiting to give the couple a bright Jamaican welcome.  At the King’s House entrance, security officers had their hands full trying to restrain the hundreds of people who were there happily welcoming the Queen.

Then, for the crowd, the first part of the royal visit had ended on a final note of loyal, affectionate greeting.

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