Queen Elizabeth II in Hong Kong: A walk down memory lane
Sep 09, 2022
The world received the sad announcement of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022. Having reigned for almost 71 years, the Queen had visited Hong Kong on two previous occasions, once in 1975 and the second and last time in 1986. Here we take a look back at her two visits
One of the longest reigning monarchs in the world, Queen Elizabeth II has witnessed some of the most history-changing events of the 20th and early 21st centuries. In May 1975, Hong Kong had the distinct honour of receiving her Majesty, who visited the then-British colony with her husband, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The royal couple arrived on the afternoon of May 4, 1975. Over the following two days, they visited Hong Kong City Hall, Morse Park, Oi Man Estate, the train station at Hung Hom, the University of Hong Kong, the Kwai Chung container port and the industrial area in Tsuen Wan, among other places.
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They also witnessed the city’s first firework display since the 1967 riots. The Queen and Prince Philip departed Hong Kong on the morning of 7 May.
The Queen would not return to Hong Kong until a decade later, on October 21, 1986, when she was returning home from Mainland China. Her visit to China heralded her as the first British monarch to enter this vast country. This came about two years after the signing of the Joint Declaration between Britain and China. She had the opportunity to visit the terracotta warriors in Xian, saw the Great Wall of China, and stopped by Shanghai, Kunming and Guangzhou.
The late monarch was also known for her love of horses. During this tour, she visited the Sha Tin Race Course; she spent time at the tracks and legendary jockey Tony Cruz was presented to her.
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