A Royal Party

On 17th July 1947, a crowd of around a thousand people gathered in Heriot Row - outside Number 32, which belonged to a lawyer, Mr C D Shaw (later known as Lord Kilbrandon). They were waiting for the chief guests to arrive at a private dance inside the house. You can see a copy of an invitation to the party below.

The famous chief guests were Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and Elizabeth's fiancé, Philip, Lieutenant Mountbatten. When their car drew up at around 10 30pm, police linked arms to hold back the crowd. The guests went inside and the eightsome reel resumed. 

There were about 40 people there, dancing to a violin, piano and double bass trio. Male guests wore Highland evening dress. Princess Elizabeth wore a mauve peach gown with a white ermine cape. Princess Margaret wore a pink frilled gown with a dark fur cape.

The crowd grew impatient and shouted 'We want Elizabeth, we want Philip'. Finally a window opened and the three royal guests waved and smiled to the crowd below.

Princess Elizabeth, by then Queen Elizabeth, returned to Heriot Row in 1967 to visit the new premises of the Scottish Women’s Rural Institute at Number 42.