This film is part of Free

Loyal Greetings from Southend-on-Sea

Brittania rules the waves … of the Thames Estuary, and a chilly northerly wind aids the Union Jack flag-wavers, as Southenders hope to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty's Royal Yacht.

Sponsored film 1954 4 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for East Anglian Film Archive

Overview

15th May 1954 was a significant day in the Great British calendar, for it marked the return of HM Queen Elizabeth II from her worldwide tour of Commonwealth countries, travelling on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Of course, the typically English overcast grey skies, commonplace for such an occasion, did not put off Southend sightseers and wellwishers who welcome the returning vessel on its way to the Capital via the Essex coast.

Richard Pike was not a commercial filmmaker, however he did produce semi-professional films for organisations as well as making family and personal films. He lived at Kenilworth Gardens, which is possibly why 'Kenilworth Films' is so-named. 'Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in service from 1954 to 1997.