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3 Feb 1954 - Queen Elizabeth II visit

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On This Day
3 Feb 1954 - Australian visit by Queen Elizabeth II

#OnThisDay 3 February 1954 Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Farm Cove in Sydney to begin a two-month visit to Australia. She was the first British reigning monarch to visit Australia and her arrival was celebrated in Sydney in style. An estimated one million people crowded Sydney streets and foreshore to catch a glimpse of the Queen. That night a large fireworks display on Sydney Harbour culminated in a 50ft high fireworks portrait of the Queen and Prince Phillip.

Source: Wishart, A. (State Library of New South Wales). The 1954 Royal Tour of Queen Elizabeth II

From the Collection

View the digital gallery The Royal Tour »

Browse more photos of the Royal Visit »

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Image

Exhibition

An exhibition produced to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria. It features images from the 1882 album reproduced from original glass plate negatives sourced from the State Archives Collection.

The Queen's Album

Related Gallery

On 3 February 1954, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Farm Cove in Sydney to commence their Royal Tour of Australia. This gallery shows highlights from the Sydney and NSW portion of the tour - 3 to 18 February 1954 - and includes the decorations and illuminations of public buildings and parks in Sydney and the schedule of events and visits.

The 1954 Royal Tour

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