| PRINCESS ELIZABETH FREEDOM OF CITY Princess Elizabeth makes speech after receiving Freedom of the City of London. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tape Master: | 7920 | |
| Catalog #: | 181084 | |
| Clip Number: | 181084-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | UN 1744 A | |
| Timecode: | 01:18:19 - 01:24:07 | |
| Location: | Guildhall, London | |
| Year Shot: | 1947 (Estimated Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | CEREMONIES: Honors, Freedom of City LOCATIONS/EUROPE: UK, England, London ROYALTY: British, Queen Elizabeth II (Princess Elizabeth) | |
| Description: | PRINCESS ELIZABETH FREEDOM OF CITY Princess Elizabeth makes speech after receiving Freedom of the City of London. Guildhall, London. Various shots Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) making speech after receiving Freedom of the City (natural sound). "It was a wonderful and moving experience for me. During the war, we all of us became accustomed to hearing of, and indeed to experiencing for ourselves the gallantry of Dominion Troops and the generosity of their civilians. So much so, that we were inclined to take both for granted as a kind of natural and inevitable extension of the British war effort. We met here in London, and all over the country, thousands of their men and women who were living amongst us, sharing our danger and our way of life. Perhaps unconsciously we have come to think of them, and of their country in terms of greater similarity, of closer resemblance than really exists. In this way, we are inclined perhaps to miss the underlining wonder of what another Freeman has called “this loosely and variously knit world’s pride association.” Our Commonwealth is not so much a single act of statecraft as a miracle of faith. (Applause) Thus my first impression has been one the difference between South Africa and the United Kingdom. Differences of climate, history, population and problems, all of which are intrinsically South African and will ever be so. And yet the link between us is stronger than it has ever been. (Applause) The pillars of the Dominions, separate and individual, are planted firmly on the foundations of self-government, but their strength unites to uphold the dome of empire, as unshakeable as that great dome at St. Paul’s, which stands so close to where we are at this moment. (Applause) These essential differences to which I have referred, confront us, the people of the Mother country with further duty besides that of understanding them. They offer us a chance to learn many new lesions of great value. I know that all who visit the countries of our Commonwealth and Empire must be impressed, as I have been during my visit to South Africa and the Rhodesia’s, by the forceful sprit of vitality in these countries. Proud of our homelands, confident in their future, they constitute a powerful good on which the whole world may always depend. (Applause) I have said that we must get to know the men and women of the Dominions as they really are. It is equally important to know ourselves as they know us. I do not think that we in this country fully realize the respect, admiration and affectionate good will in which we are held in the people of the Commonwealth. Suffering, as we still do, from the wounds of war, we are naturally inclined to be a little introspective an unsettled, but to hear the praises of our land and people sounded so sincerely and so constantly as they are throughout the Commonwealth, to realize that we are still looked up to and revered for our achievements, should indeed make us proud to possess and resolve to preserve the qualities which they admire. (Applause) My Lord Mayor, I have not yet thanked you for the magnificent gift with which you have presented me. I shall always treasure it for memories of this happy day that it enshrines. You have given it to me as a token of your loyalty and trust. I accept it as a pledge of my devotion and my duty, which with the help of God, I will maintain all my life." (Applause) People applaud as she sits down. LS dignitaries in hall. | |
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