KENYA: Beacon lit at hotel in Kenyan game park where the young Princess Elizabeth unexpectedly became Queen 60 years ago following the death of King George VI

Record ID: 362278

  • Title: KENYA: Beacon lit at hotel in Kenyan game park where the young Princess Elizabeth unexpectedly became Queen 60 years ago following the death of King George VI
  • Date: 6th June 2012
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF HISTORICAL PICTURES AT THE HOTEL PICTURE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH AND AN ORDERLY
  • Embargoed: 21st June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: International Relations,Royalty
  • Reuters ID: LVAD2FFLWS5HU44ST5OGI3UDR3L
  • Story Text: Kenyan and British officials gathered in the scenic Aberdare national part on Monday (June 4) to light one of the Queen's golden jubilee beacons, marking the British monarch's 60th year on the throne.
    The Treetops Hotel in central Kenya was where the young Princess Elizabeth was staying when she acceded to the throne in 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI.
    The hotel, which is raised on tree trunks, overlooks a watering hole where visitors can watch elephants, buffaloes and wildebeest gather for their evening drink.
    A group of American tourists were excited to be part of the occasion.
    "It was great and wonderful to see and it was just by coincidence that we happened to be here. We did not know that this was going on so it was just a great experience," said one of the visitors.
    At a news conference after the lighting of the beacon, an official from the Kenya Wildlife ministry, Isaac Kirinya, said the former royal hunting lodge sealed its place in history.
    "This is where history begun, ladies and gentlemen. The celebrations have a special meaning to Kenya since it was in Treetops where on fifth February 1952 where Princess Elizabeth went up the tree-house and the following day came down as the Queen," said Kirinya.
    Photos of the Queen during her visit still hold a place of honour at Treetops.
    The hotel, which still attracts thousands of local and foreign visitors every year, was recently refurbished for the occasion and the hotel's groups chairman, James Waibochi said there would always be a room held for the Queen should she choose to visit.
    "There were only two rooms ensuite which we used to call the Queen's Suite. Now we have all of them ensuite. There are fewer rooms but they are all ensuite and in particular we have three of them, which we would like to reserve for the Queen when she comes - that we hope she will come again - and we are calling them honeymoon suites," said Waibochi.
    At the watering hole, animals watched the curious human spectacle as they continued to jostle for space on a cool June evening.
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