1950: A Royal Visit

Post- War Britain was a time of uncertainty. There were masses of debts on the country, and the once great Empire was in tatters. By March 1950, the country was beginning to recover from the great upheaval the Second World War had created, and there was a sincere bid by all to move forward in their lives, while still keeping a hold of some of the old traditions.

Though the Empire was not the power it once was, the Royal Family was still a large part of the social consciousness. The King had been the voice of a nation, along with Winston Churchill, during an uncertain and frightening time. The comfort of the Royal Family during the war, was something that the nation clung to. Following the War, there was still a thorough support for the Royal Family as they aided the nation to heal its wounds, and kept a sense of consistency for the public. The love for the Royal Family was demonstrated in many ways but the tour of Princess Elizabeth around the South West in March 1950, in particular in the crowds of people who flocked the streets and the newspapers’ reactions to the Royal visit is a particular example.

Princess Elizabeth is greeted at Newton Park, 2.3.50

The newspapers here at Bath Spa University in the archive provide a unique insight to how exciting the visit truly was for the general public, here in Bath, and into Bristol. The anticipation of the visit can be felt in the newspapers several days before the Princess’s arrival, often discussing her time at previous towns. There was also an eagerness of her visit here at the University, since the students had built an ark as a gift for the young Prince Charles.

Noah's Ark, made by first year students as a gift for the young Prince Charles

On the day of her coming to Newton Park, there was excitement throughout the town, and this is very much reflected in the publications. The newspapers are full of photographs of the crowds gathering in the streets, waving flags and cheering the Princess’s procession. There are also many photographs of the Princess here, at Newton Park. In many cases they fill the majority of the page, emphasising the importance of visual aid to journalism at the time. Another distinguishing feature of the journalism at the time is the description of the Princess’s clothing; ‘Princess Elizabeth wore the hyacinth blue coat and blue had with a curling osprey feather, shown in this specially-wired picture, when she visited Bath today’. This would have been for the benefit of the readers, since the photographs were in black and white. It would have helped the general public to become immersed in the visit, even if they were unable to attend. 

Section from one of the commemorative newspapers, 3.2.50

Princess Elizabeth’s visit to Bath and especially Newton Park College was an important turning point in its history and helped to establish the college as the place to be for teacher training. After all, it had a royal stamp of approval.

Guest Post by Jessica Bone, 2nd year History student