26 Jan 2026
#CULTURE + LIFESTYLE
#Onthisday (well technically yesterday sorry) 25 of January 2026 marks 72 years since Queen Elizabeth visited Timaru from Oamaru via train.
Alongside Prince Philip their royal tour of New Zealand, which spanned from December 1953 to the end of January 1954. This was one of four train journeys made on the tour. During this trip and one other she stayed down the road at the Grosvenor Hotel just up the road from the railway station.
South Canterbury Museum Catalogue Number: 1999/84.1
Queen Elizabeth II being driven through a floral archway at Ashbury Park during her visit to Timaru in January 1954
Depicts children lining either side of the entrance waving to the Queen as she passes through the floral archway.
Following the visit Langwood Studio which resided in 175a Stafford St (above where Lovelyn Bridal is today) published a booklet detailing photo, descriptions and commentary of the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
The booklet was published and produced by Langwood Studio in conjunction with Gordon C. Pope, printers on Church St.
