The Visit
The Queen and Prince Philip at William and Mary, 1957
After all the planning, the royal visit went very well, as can be seen in the film and photographs of the event. An audiotape records the speeches and exchange of gifts that took place on the balcony of the Wren Building.
Dr. James Robertson, rector of the College, welcomed Queen Elizabeth, presenting her with six sketches of College buildings by renowned artist Elmo Jones.
The Queen then thanked Jones and presented her gift to the College, a copy of the Statutes of the Order of the Garter. This particular copy belonged to William and Mary's nephew William, the son of Princess (later Queen) Anne, who was inducted into the order in 1696, but died a few years later.
President Alvin Chandler welcomed High Royal Highness Prince Philip, presenting him with several books written by College faculty for the library of the University of Edinburgh, the Prince being chancellor of the University.
Prince Philip for his part gave to the College copies of two items from the University of Edinburgh relating to James Blair, William and Mary's founder and a master's graduate of Edinburgh. One item was Blair's signature in 1675 when he joined the University's library, along with a copy of the rules library members were to follow. The second item was the title page, with Blair's signature, of a book he had given to Edinburgh's library. In addition, the Prince gave to the College five books published by the University of Edinburgh.
After leaving the Wren Building, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip walked through the crowd across the green to College Corner, with the Prince stopping to read the inscription on Lord Botetourt's statue. The couple then boarded a carriage for a ride through Colonial Williamsburg.
The royal visit received extensive coverage in periodicals, including in the College's own Flat Hat and Alumni Gazette.