The Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Tour 1956-1957 – Gibraltar,

Africa, the Seychelles and Ceylon

October 15th 1956 – London Airport

The Duke of Edinburgh commenced his world tour, leaving London Airport on the flight to Kenya.

Prince Philip with Prince Charles at London Airport prior to departure Princess Anne waves farewell as the Duke’s plane flies away

The Duke, accompanied by the Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Princess Sophie of Hanover (the
Duke’s sister), drove from Windsor Castle to London Airport. The flight to Kenya was by way of the
BOAC Argonaut “Ajax” and refuelled at Gibraltar, Kano, Entebbe before arriving in Mombasa.

October 15th 1956 – Gibraltar

The first stop was a refuelling stop at Gibraltar. The plane arrived at 4.46pm and the Duke took the
opportunity of visiting the RAF Airmen’s Quarters at the edge of the runway. At 5.15pm the plane took
off for Northern Nigeria.

The Ajax at Gibraltar airfield

October 16th 1956 – Northern Nigeria

The plane carrying the Duke of Edinburgh touched down at Kano, Northern Nigeria, at 12.58am, half an
hour ahead of schedule, to be refuelled. There was a two and a quarter hour break at Kano, before taking off
again for Entebbe, Uganda.

At Kano, the Duke left the plane and was greeted by Kenneth Maddocks, the officer administering the
government of Northern Nigeria, and was introduced to Sir Ahmadu Bello (the Premier of Northern Nigeria)
and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi I.

October 16th 1956 – Uganda

The plane had a wait of an hour in Entebbe, during which the Duke called on the Governor (Sir Andrew
Cohen) at Government House. After his return to the airport, he met members of Uganda’s Olympic team,
who presented him with a flag of Uganda.
October 16th 1956 – Kenya
The plane arrived in Mombasa at 5.45pm. Although the airport at Mombasa was closed, several hundred
guests welcomed the arrival of the Duke, including 100 schoolchildren. The Duke then went on a tour of
Mombasa in a 1929 Rolls Royce, accompanied by Sir Evelyn Baring (Governor of Kenya), before
embarking onboard HMY Britannia.

Duke of Edinburgh’s arrival in Mombasa Tour of Mombasa

Onboard HMY Britannia, the Duke received Chief Inspector Jim Orr (Kenya Police) and Peter Mumford
(Kenya Police Reserve) – old schoolmates of the Duke from Gordonstoun School – and chatted about the
school production of “Hamlet” in which they had acted.

As a Marine Band played “Rule Britannia” and “Waltzing Matilda”, and the crowd sang “Auld Lang Syne”,
the Royal Yacht slipped away towards the Seychelles.

October 19th 1956 – Seychelles

The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in the Seychelles, a last minute detour on the way to Ceylon. On landing,
the Duke received a loyal address from Dr Hilda Stevenson Delhomme (Chairman, Victoria District
Council). The Duke, with Sir William Addis (Governor), then drove through lines of cheering
schoolchildren.

The Duke listening to the loyal address from Dr Hilda Stevenson

The Duke inspected a parade of police, ex-servicemen and boy scouts. At the Ex-Servicemen’s Club the
Duke heard a speech by a former member of the Services appealing for a Naval Base in the islands and for
the recruitment of Seychellois seamen in the Royal Navy. In reply, the Duke expressed sympathy over the
widespread unemployment and said he hoped that there were better times ahead.

The Duke arrives at Victoria parade ground

Prince Philip then visited a hospital where he spoke to some of the patients. This was followed by a
reception at Government House. There was criticism that the reception was “all-white” and that not one
native was included in the 550 guests at the reception.

Before leaving the Seychelles, the Duke entertained the Governor and Lady Addis, the Chief Justice and
Mrs Lyon and members of the legislative and executive council onboard the Royal Yacht.