“It is windy and the streets are wet but the sun comes out on July 9th 1953 as a beautifully dressed Queen visits Llanelli with the Duke of Edinburgh. This is the first time a reigning monarch has visited the town and it is decorated with bunting, flowers and flags. The townsfolk wait patiently for the royals to arrive, uniforms and best clothes in evidence. There is a parade through the streets and signs inform everyone to ‘keep left’, police being on hand in case of any problems.”
That is the introduction to the film on the BFI website as the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth visits the town.
The film is part of the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales.
Children line the route from the station to the Town Hall. Thousands of people waved and cheered as The Queen passed by in a motorcade. The film is a beautiful piece of work and shows Llanelli in a great light in the industrial and halcyon days where people looked happy with their lot.
Llanelly’s Royal Day is a film to savour.
“The streets are crowded, windows are occupied, and walls are sat on in the beautifully decorated town, as everyone tries to catch a glimpse of the newly crowned Queen.”
As the four day celebrations come to an end we appear to be on the brink of heralding in a new head of state, a King. Who knows, perhaps these scenes will be replicated if HRH The Prince of Wales chooses to tour Wales following his coronation.
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