[ad_1]
The Royal couple visited the African nation only once during the Queen’s brief reign of the country, which lasted from 1961 to 1971.
The monarchy was then abolished in Sierra Leone, and the country became a republic within the Commonwealth.
Yet, during their landmark visit, despite the Queen’s newfound status after having assumed the role of Queen of Sierra Leone the very same year, it was Prince Philip who drew the most attention.
Irene, a former resident of Sierra Leone, told ITV how she swooned over the young Prince during the Royal procession following their arrival.
Recounting what she was thinking during the momentous occasion, she said: “What we were saying was welcome to the Queen, the Queen is so beautiful.
“And as for Prince Philip, he is spotless physically speaking, spotless.
“Some of us were hoping that we would grow up to have somebody as good looking as Prince Philip.”
Irene caught a glimpse of the strapping Royal during the Queen’s welcome procession, in which many children were required to take part.
Commenting on the event, she said: “We were given flags and we were told to line the streets, it was like she was coming from far away because we were in Freetown, and we had never travelled before.
“Suddenly someone was coming all the way from England.”
She remembers how school children were required to learn songs ahead of the Royal couple’s visit, and sung them upon the Queen’s arrival to offer a rousing welcome to the west African nation.
She said: “We had to learn some songs for the Queen’s visit.”
Recounting some of the lyrics, Irene sung: “Welcome to our glorious Queen, welcome to Queen Elizabeth, Queen fine, beauty shine, look what Prince Philip collect.”
The Queen assumed the position of Queen of Sierra Leone in 1961 after the country became an independent realm by the Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961.
This transformed the British Crown Colony of Sierra Leone into an independent member of the Commonwealth.
The Queen ceased to be Monarch of Sierra Leone in 1971 when the monarchy was abolished in favour of a republic, with the President acting as head of state.
The Queen and Prince Philip visited the west African nation on the Royal yacht Britannia from November 25 1961 to December 1.
[ad_2]
