WITH today's papers full of the first photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's newborn son, it’s interesting to look back to February 1960 and the birth of another royal baby.
Prince Andrew was born on the 19th of that month, a Friday.
As the news emerged, bells rang in churches and cathedrals nationwide, royal salutes were fired by the fleet and at Windsor Castle, and bonfires blazed on Royal Deeside.
The bulletin from Buckingham Palace at 4.03pm, just over half an hour since the birth, was received with “wild excitement” by a crowd some 2,000 strong waiting outside. People around the Victoria Memorial surged across the road to read the bulletin when it was posted on Palace notice-boards, and stopped all traffic.
In Glasgow, the Lord Provost, Sir Myer Galpern, sent a telegram of communications to the Queen, and the Union Jack was hoisted over the City Chambers. Sir Myer had already asked householders and shopkeepers to fly flags and bunting.
The bells at the Tolbooth Steeple at Glasgow Cross were rung; the bells at St Mary’s Cathedral, on Great Western Road, were also rung for an hour. (The photograph shows bellringers there rehearsing, a few days earlier.)
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Herald DiaryChurches in Paisley, Greenock and Falkirk sounded their bells. Rothesay switched on its illuminations. Flags flew above civic chambers across Ayrshire. At Pathhead, New Cumnock, children celebrated with a bonfire. In Edinburgh, residents ignored a cold, biting wind and slush-filled streets to watch at various locations, fireworks displays and a huge bonfire. Oban’s provost sent the Queen two telegrams of congratulations - one in English, the other in Gaelic.
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