Unconventional Royal Protocol During 1966 Caribbean Tour

Royal visits are meticulously planned affairs, often spanning months of preparation. However, some of the most memorable moments stem from unplanned incidents, including accidental breaches of protocol. One such unconventional event involved Queen Elizabeth II during a 1966 tour of the British Virgin Islands.

According to author Hugo Vickers' latest book, the Queen unknowingly shared space with a deceased person during her stop on the island of Tortola. The incident occurred on an "unbearably hot" day when the monarch and Prince Philip visited the local hospital.

The Need for Cool Air

Staff at the hospital recognized that Her Majesty would likely appreciate a brief respite in the only air-conditioned room available on the premises. This room was located at the island’s hospital.

Unfortunately, the previous night, Dr. Robin Tattersall had performed an operation on a patient who subsequently passed away. Due to the lack of other facilities, the hospital staff placed the body in a cupboard within that very air-conditioned room.

Hiding the Body from Royalty

As the Queen was scheduled to spend about 20 minutes in the cool space, no staff member dared inform her of the presence of the corpse. Vickers recounts the situation, noting that the staff kept the secret from the visiting monarch.

"No one dared tell the Queen, of course."

The truth only emerged seven years later. Dr. Tattersall eventually met Prince Charles and revealed the story. Naturally, Prince Charles promptly shared the amusing anecdote with his mother, detailing how she had shared a room with a corpse for 20 minutes.

Details of the 1966 Royal Tour

Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the British Virgin Islands in 1966 was part of an extensive five-week Caribbean tour. The royal couple traveled aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia.

During her time on Tortola, Her Majesty inaugurated several key landmarks. These included the Sir Francis Drake Highway and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, according to a 2016 Virgin Islands Government press release.

Other Engagements on Tortola

The itinerary for the Queen’s visit was extensive. She toured Peebles Hospital, Government House, and the Territory’s secondary school.

Further engagements included visits to the Agricultural Station in Road Town. The royal couple also traveled to Virgin Gorda and the Little Dix Bay Hotel. At the official welcome ceremony, the Administrator of the Territory, His Honour Mr. Martin Samuel Staveley, presented the Queen with a gift: a Virgin Islands sloop crafted by Captain Ira Smith.