Thousands of people from all races, young and old alike, came out in full force to catch a glimpse of Prince Charles who was to attend the cession centenary celebrations.
Highlighted in The Fiji Times on October 9, 1974, the cession celebration was an annual celebration held to commemorate the Deed of Cession of Fiji to Britain.
But in 1974, it was a bit different, being the 100th year since Fiji was ceded to Britain by Fijian chiefs, led by Ratu Seru Cakobau.
The Prince received an enthusiastic welcome when he arrived. He was greeted by women who said ‘Nice bola”‘ and others strewing the road with flowers as the royal entourage passed by.
The Prince and his party left London at about 12.30 am on Sunday (09/10/74) and arrived by a Royal Air Force VC10 aircraft which had flying miniatures of the royal standard and the Fiji flag over the cockpit when it landed at the Nadi Airport.
The aircraft, named after Victoria Cross, winner Kenneth Cambell, nosed its way close to the air-bridge in the international section of the airport.
The Prince was dressed in a grey lounge suit, a striped shirt and deep red tie.
He was met by the Commissioner Western, Major Jesoni Takala, the secretary of the celebrations committee and tour manager, Doctor Isireli Lasaqa.
He then travelled to Nausori Airport in a specially converted Air Pacific BAC 1-11 jet, piloted by Captain Neil Ganley and Captain Barry Rankin.
Prince Charles said he was “filled with joy” when the Queen asked him to represent her at Fiji’s cession celebrations.
“Its always a great pleasure to be back in Fiji,” he said during his official welcome ceremony held at Albert Park in Suva.
“I sure my great-great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria would have been gratified to know that the links between the British Crown and the people of Fiji, which were so auspiciously begun during her reign, were being continued and built upon 100 years later.”
Earlier, thousands of school children lined Prince Charles’ route from Government House to Albert Park, for the official ceremony.
At Albert Park, the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Tui Nayau and Paramount chief of Lau, sat cross-legged on the ground with other chiefs.
Adi Lady Lala Mara , as Roko Tui Dreketi, joined other chiefs in her position of Paramount chief of Rewa.
After the Fijian ceremonies finished Ratu Sir Kamisese and Adi Lady lala sat with other dignitaries near Prince Charles on a specially constructed dais.
