The British Royal Family hosted King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan along with his daughter Princess Bilqis Begum and son-in-law, General Sardar Abdul Wali, on their State Visit to the United Kingdom which ended on this day in 1971, 50 years ago, which was the second and last Afghan State Visit to Britain.
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The British Royal Family welcomed the King Mohammed Zahir Shah, Princess Bilqis Begum and General Sardar Abdul Wali on arrival at Victoria Station, following which the Royal Party rode in a procession to Buckingham Palace. That evening, the Queen (wearing Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara) and Duke of Edinburgh hosted a State Banquet in honour of the King, Princess and General at the Palace, which was also attended by the Queen Mother (in the Greville Tiara), Princess Anne (wearing Princess Andrew’s Meander Tiara and her Festoon Necklace) and Princess Margaret (in her Turquoise Parure).
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Other events during the State Visit included a Luncheon hosted by Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home at Lancaster House, a Banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor and the City of London at the Guildhall, and a Luncheon hosted by King Mohammed Zahir Shah for the Queen and members of the British ROyal Family.
Rest In Peace Prince Philip.
In December 1971, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip welcomed Afghanistan’s Zahir Shah to London.
https://t.co/P92wShSf6O
— Afghan Historians (@AfghanHistorian) April 9, 2021
Rest In Peace Prince Philip.
In December 1971, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip welcomed Afghanistan’s Zahir Shah to London.
https://t.co/P92wShSf6O
This was such a happy occasion. It’s so sad that Afghanistan entered a state of turmoil quite shortly after this visit. The country and its people have been suffering from one thing or another for more than 40 years. I pray that they will find peace soon.