Even at nine o’clock in the morning, people were starting to congregate on the foreshore. A special train from Christchurch had brought official dignitaries and anyone else fortunate enough to come by a ticket, and the general public had flocked in from far and wide, including John and Letitia. The occasion—a royal visit by His Majesty, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. The port had never looked so colourful and gay. Long lines of flags and bunting were festooning the streets in readiness for his arrival, and a magnificent arch, lavishly decorated with native greenery, had been erected. On the seaward face of the arch the words Welcome, Victoria’s Son had been worked with leaves on a white background, and on the other side were the words God Bless Prince Alfred. A large dais, draped in royal blue and crimson, sporting the royal coat of arms, had also been erected the day before, and beyond it were several rows of seats, reserved for the dignitaries and their wives. It was now a little after ten o’clock and a sizeable crowd had gathered.
