Do you remember the Royal visit?

Passing of current monarch Queen Elizabeth’s consort, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, recalled a famous visit to the Orange Email (later, Electrolux) white-goods factory by the Royal couple in April 1970.

There was some controversy over the venue for the tour — described as a “dirty, old factory” — as a suitable site for the Royals; though it was later revealed that the Queen had personally requested a visit to a decentralised manufacturing facility in a country area.

“There was a lot of tidying-up. The gardens were in pristine condition and it was a really hyped event for us all, especially for the female staff who were all keen to see the Prince and the Queen,” a worker at the factory remembered later. Staff also formed a guard of honour to farewell the couple as they exited the facility.

Images supplied by: Orange District Historical Society