ON the eve of the royal opening of Glasgow’s 1938 Empire Exhibition, at Bellahouston Park, there was what was reported to be “the greatest hustle Scotland has ever known”, with hundreds of workmen labouring almost without a break to get everything ready for the visit of the king and queen after the opening ceremony at Ibrox Park.
“Glasgow,” said this newspaper on May 2, “is preparing for a great day of celebration. Thousands of visitors are already pouring into the city, and accommodation at all the principal hotels is fully booked.”
The next day, eager crowds (above) gathered for hours in advance of the royal visit. The king and queen arrived at Ibrox in an Ascot landau drawn by seven horses, to a fanfare of trumpets and guards of honour from the Navy, Army and RAF. Aircraft from the No.269 (General Reconnaissance) and No.602 (City of Glasgow) (Bomber) squadrons flew overhead, dipping in a royal salute, as 60,000 spectators cheered.
“Confident as I am that this great Exhibition can make a real contribution to the general wellbeing,” King George declared, “I have the greatest pleasure in declaring it open.”
The royals then spent four hours touring what the Glasgow Herald described as “the new fairyland of scintillating colour” at Bellahouston, touring exhibits and numerous pavilions, and ascending the Tower of Empire.
“It is,” the king concluded, “an extraordinarily fine show.”
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