Royal Encounters: A History of Royal Visits to Hamilton

Thursday 29 August 2024 | Stories of Hamilton,

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For more than a century, Hamilton has proudly played host to members of the British Royal Family. These visits have long been moments of celebration, ceremony, and civic pride, carefully recorded in newspapers, photographs, and the memories of those who attended. From the early 20th century through to the post-war era, each royal visit left its own mark on the city’s history.

The Prince of Wales

Hamilton’s first royal visit took place on 27 April 1920, when Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), arrived at the Claudelands Racecourse as part of his post-war tour of New Zealand. Touching down at 12:20 pm, the Prince was greeted by a large crowd of schoolchildren, cadets, returned soldiers, and members of the public. Though the visit was brief as he departed at 1:20 pm by train for Rotorua, it was a significant milestone for the city. Photographs from the day hint at the size of the crowd and capture the formality and excitement of Hamilton’s first moment on the royal stage.

A black and white image showing the a man standing in an old fashioned style car, with two men standing next to the car. The man standing in the car is the Prince of Wales in 1920.

A visit from the Prince of Wales

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The Duke and Duchess of York

On 26 February 1927, Hamilton welcomed the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), during their month-long tour of New Zealand. With Claudelands Park undergoing alterations for the Hamilton Trotting Club, the official reception was held at Steele Park in Hamilton East. Mayor John Robert Fow delivered a formal address, recorded in the Waikato Times, and photographs captured the pomp and popularity of the occasion. It was the Duchess’s first visit to Hamilton but not her last.

A black and white image showing woman and man in 1930s style dress standing on grass. In the background of the image there is a man in military uniform and a large crowd. The main subjects of the image are Mayor J F Fow and the Duchess of York.

Mayor J R Fow and the Duchess of York at Steele Park

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Queen Elizabeth II

The 1953–54 Royal Tour marked a historic first: Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning British monarch to visit Aotearoa New Zealand. She and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Hamilton on 30 December 1953, drawing a crowd of 25,000 people who lined the streets to welcome the royal envoy.
That evening, the Queen attended a civic dinner near the Fairfield Bridge and a youth fiesta at Bledisloe Hall. She spent the night at the Hamilton Hotel on Victoria Street, but not before a brief behind-the-scenes scramble. The lock on the executive suite had jammed, and local locksmith Horace Price was urgently called in to fix it, just in time for Her Majesty’s arrival. The following morning, the Queen attended a civic reception and agricultural display at the Claudelands ShowGrounds before continuing her nationwide tour.

On 4 February 1958, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother returned to Hamilton, more than three decades after her first visit as Duchess of York. Her return was part of her second tour of New Zealand, where she was once again warmly welcomed. During a civic reception, Mayor Roderick Braithwaite presented her with a paua shell casket, a gesture of local pride and appreciation. The next day, she departed Hamilton by plane for Napier, continuing her journey through the North Island.

A black and white image showing a podium with a man and woman seated behind a man standing to speak.

Mayor JR Fow addresses the crowd during the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess and Duke of York.

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A black and white image showing a procession of cars along a street. The street is lined with people and decorated with hanging lights and bunting.

The royal motorcade proceeding to the Hamilton Hotel

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The Queen Mother

A black and white image showing a man in mayoral robes offering a gift to a woman in pearls and a hat seated next to him.

The Queen Mother and Mayor Braithwaite

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These royal visits, whether brief or grand in scale, have each contributed to the civic and cultural history of Hamilton. From crowded racecourses to elegant civic receptions, they offered a glimpse of the monarchy to generations of Hamiltonians. Thanks to the photographers, journalists, and everyday citizens who captured these moments, the legacy of each visit lives on in our city’s archives.

References:
“The Prince in Hamilton” Ohinemuri Gazette, 28 April 1920 
“Prince of Wales Visit” Waipa Post, 13 March 1920
“Address Presented” Waikato Times, 26 February 1927
“The Royal Visit” Waikato Times, 3 February 1927 
“Royal Visit of 1953-1954”, NZ History 
“The Queen Nearly Missed Out on Hotel Room” Rachel Thomas, Stuff News, 29 August 2014
“Opinion: Hamilton Hotel's Last Hurrah” Jamie Strange, New Zealand Herald, 9 November 2018
“Queen Mother’s Day” Press, 4 February 1958 
 “Queen Mother’s Day” Press, 5 February 1958
“Queen Mother’s Visit to Northland” Press, 5 February 1958 

 

Posted in Stories of Hamilton, Tagged Stories of Hamilton, Royal family, Archives and Reference, heritage, by Deborah Fitz-Herbert

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