When Queen Elizabeth II first visited Fiji in 1953, it was the chiefs who performed the traditional ceremonies to welcome her.
Such was the special place Her Majesty had in the hearts of the iTaukei people, says Joji Kotobalavu, a lecturer at the University of Fiji School of Law who served as permanent secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office under four of Fiji’s PMs — Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Sitiveni Rabuka, Mahendra Chaudhry and Lasenia Qarase.
He described the Queen’s passing as “a moment of sorrow and deep reflection” because of her close connection with the people of Fiji.
“You have to remember that she visited Fiji six times – 1953, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1977 and 1982,” he said.
“And her first visit was in December 1953, only six months after she was crowned.
“Fiji had a real constitutional connection with Her Majesty because she visited Fiji as our Head of State.
“And the iTaukei people will always be grateful to Queen Elizabeth right from the signing of the Deed of Cession on October 10, 1874, when Ratu Cakobau ceded Fiji to the British Crown under Queen Victoria. And she reciprocated in two very important ways.
“Firstly, the British Crown recognied the authority of the chiefs over their people – provided they administered their people in accordance with the laws of the British Colony. Secondly, the British Crown recognised, through the British Government, through the principle of common law, ownership of tribal land by the iTaukei landowners according to custom, tradition and usage.”
Mr Kotobalavu said Queen Elizabeth continued Britain’s close relationship with the Fijian people by sending her son Prince Charles to convey to then PM Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the Instruments of Independence in October 1970.
He said while all her visits to Fiji were significant and historic, her 1973 was memorable in many ways. During that visit Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara assured her that even though Fiji had gained full independence in 1970 – the people of Fiji would always cherish the long historical and constitutional links with the British Crown.
On a personal note, he said a brief interaction with Her Majesty remained as vivid today as it was when he met her almost 50 years ago as a senior official in the Department of Foreign Affairs which was part of the Prime Minister’s Office at that time.
“She invited us onboard at the end of her visit, and gave those of us who had helped with her visit, an autographed picture of herself. What struck me was how she took the time out to personally acknowledge us.”
