ILN 1928, 25 — The Arrival at Dover

The Afghan King and Queen greeted at the „gateway“ of England: an address of welcome read by the recorder of Dover in the presence of the Prince of Wales (next to the King). King Amanullah and Queen Suryia of Afghanistan stood on English soil for the first time when they landed at Dover, on March 13, and were greeted by the Prince of Wales, on behalf of the King. They had had a smooth crossing from Calais in the Channel steamer „Maid of Orleans,“ which was escorted into har-bour by four destroyers and five fighter aeroplanes. The guns of Dover Castle thundered a salute. The Prince of Wales escorted the Royal visitors from the quay to the flag-decked station, where, on the platform beside the special train waiting to convey them to London, the Recorder of Dover read an Address of Welcome. The brilliant uniforms and the rainbow hues of the flags, including the Afghan banner, with its black-and-gold symbols, made the scene a blaze of colour. Among those present were the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and a number of naval, military, and Air Force officers.