The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh hosted King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece on their State Visit to Britain on this ay in 1963, 60 years ago, which was the first and only State Visit between the two countries during the Queen’s long Reign. King Paul was the first cousin of the Duke of Edinburgh and all four were related as descendants of Queen Victoria. 1963 was a busy year for the Greek Royal Family, with King Paul and Queen Frederica’s Silver Wedding Anniversary, the Engagement of Crown Prince Constantine of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, and the Centenary of the Greek Monarchy.
After being met by the Duke of Edinburgh on arrival at Gatwick Airport, King Paul and Queen Frederica were greeted by the Queen and members of the Royal Family, including Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, the Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Marina, and Mary, Princess Royal, at Victoria Station followed by a Procession to Buckingham Palace. There are no images of that evening’s State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.
After the Greek Royal Couple attended a Luncheon at the Guildhall, the Queen (wearing the Vladimir Tiara, Golden Jubilee Necklace, and Duchess of Gloucester’s Pendant Earrings with the Order of the Redeemer and the Badge of the Centenary of the Royal House of Greece) and Duke of Edinburgh (in the Order of the Redeemer) joined King Paul (in the Order of the Garter) and Queen Frederica (in the Greek Ruby Parure) for a Gala Performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Aldwych Theatre in London.
The Queen Mother (wearing the Oriental Circlet Tiara), Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (in the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara), Princess Marina (wearing the City of London Fringe Tiara, Girandole Earrings, and Bow Brooch), Princess Mary (in the Harewood Fringe Tiara), and Princess Alexandra (wearing the Queen Mary’s Crochet Bandeau).
On final evening, King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece (in Queen Sophie’s Diamond Tiara and her Cartier Sapphire Pendant) hosted a Return Banquet for the Queen (wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and Greville Ruby Necklace) and British Royal Family at Claridge’s Hotel in London, which was also attended by the Queen Mother (in the Greville Tiara), Princess Marina (wearing the Kent Festoon Tiara), and Princess Alexandra (wearing the Kent Pearl Bandeau).
