Residents share memories and photos of Prince Philip in wake of death

Residents across the Toowoomba region still remember the significant day in 1954 when the royal couple arrived in the Garden City. SEE THE PHOTOS HERE

Valerie Inwood was a school girl at the Athletic Oval in Toowoomba when Betty Smith presented Queen Elizabeth II with a bouquet of flowers.

Toowoomba region residents have shared their memories of Prince Philip, in the wake of the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.

The Queensland portion of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s Royal Progress tour ran from March 9 to 15, 1954 and included visits to the Darling Downs towns of Oakey and Toowoomba.

Public holidays were declared, and buildings were painted, decorated and illuminated across the state for the visit, an article from the Queensland State Archives stated.

Valerie Inwood snapped these photos of decorations across Toowoomba in 1954, as the region prepared for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

According to the Queensland Historical Atlas, prized livestock were put on show at the Athletic Oval in Toowoomba, while schoolchildren rode in milk trucks to get a brief glimpse of the royal couple.

Bev Brown said she was at her aunt’s home opposite Gowrie Mountain in 1954, and managed to secure a wave from the pair as they journeyed through the Garden City.

Residents took to social media to express their condolences following the death of Prince Philip, who passed aged 99 on Friday.

Valerie Inwood snapped these photos of decorations across Toowoomba in 1954, as the region prepared for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has summed up the feelings of billions of people across the world, describing news of the death of Prince Philip as a “very sad day”.

Mr Morrison extended his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to Queen Elizabeth following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh and credited him for a lifetime of duty and service.

Valerie Inwood snapped these photos of decorations across Toowoomba in 1954, as the region prepared for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

He said Prince Philip was widely admired for his “candour, and a unique, forceful and authentic personality”.

A statement was issued by Buckingham Palace just after midday local time after the Duke of Edinburgh passed away Friday morning.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the statement said.

Valerie Inwood snapped these photos of decorations across Toowoomba in 1954, as the region prepared for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.