Film: Queen Street welcome for royal couple, 1953

Film clip: the Queen Street welcome and Auckland Hospital visit

Still shots and description

Crowds cheer and wave flags as the royal entourage passes down Queen Street. We then cut to the royal couple’s visit to Auckland Hospital and the Queen talking to a wounded war veteran.

Commentary:

‘The Queen is acclaimed by her people [loud cheering]. Her Majesty’s first thoughts are for the sick and infirm, and at the very outset of her stay she visits Auckland Hospital. Those too weak to line the streets thus see their Queen. And none more closely than Lieutenant-Colonel [Francis William] Voelcker, CBE, DSO, who last year spoke to her from Korea in a Christmas broadcast.’