After reading Jay McNamara’s letter (on page four) about her royal encounter I’m truly envious.

I was surprised to read that we actually had a visit in Moree itself.

I thought the closes the royals ever got to our district was when they visited Armidale in the 70s.

But, it seems we had the honour of hosting Prince Philip in 1968.

Firstly, I want to thank everyone I frantically spoke with yesterday trying to track down what details I could, especially Wendy Long who went out of her way to help me and finally being able to tell me the exact date of the visit so we could find it in our archives.

It seems the Duke of Edinburgh attended Goondiwindi for a few polo matches, playing as number four.

An article published in the Moree Champion on May 23 stated His Royal Highness was the guest of Leslie Hill at “Terlings”, Moree for the weekend.

It was expected the prince would arrive in Moree by aircraft on the Friday and to be met by Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs W Lloyd) along with the presidents of Boolooroo and Boomi shires, H Nicholson and M Fairbarn, and town clerk Owen Jones.

Another article in the May 27 edition says one of the highlight’s of the visit was the prince’s attendance of the All Saints Church of England morning service.

The family service developed into an overflow congregation with extra chairs needed.

The duke read during the service and it was learnt during his farewell at the airport, Philip greatly enjoyed singing the hymns.

The duke also visited the new Services Club where he spent almost half an hour chatting with members.

Between these occasions he kept his polo playing appointment in Gundy, his team being defeated.

However, in the presence of about 3000 people on the Sunday his team won at a polo match in Quirindi.