As the world mourns the death of UK’s Queen Elizabeth II, tributes have poured in from Hong Kong, with many sharing fond memories of the royal’s visits to the city.
One widely circulated photograph on Twitter shows the Queen visiting a market on Graham Street during a royal tour in 1975.
“The end of [an] era. Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II, who is always loved, respected and will be missed forever by our Hong Kong people. Thank you and goodbye,” said a Twitter user.
The trip was the Queen’s first to the former British colony.
During the visit, she described the city as one that is vivid and beautiful, and has a reputation that “stands high in the world”.
“Few other communities have had greater problems to deal with, or have confronted them with greater vigor, or have survived or improved the lives of their members against greater odds. Hong Kong is famous for this. As it is for the vivid color and movement of its densely packed life, and for the beauty of its scenery,” she said in her speech to greet Hongkongers.
Watch highlights of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Hong Kong in 1975.
The Queen is also remembered for being down-to-earth and affable during that trip, especially during her visit to Oi Man Estate, a public housing estate.
The royal also visited Hong Kong in 1986, two years after the Sino-British Joint Declaration — a treaty between the governments of the United Kingdom and China setting the conditions under which Hong Kong would be transferred to Chinese control after July 1, 1997 — was signed.
Watch highlights of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Hong Kong in 1986.
There was even a tram with a message welcoming the Queen back then.
Following her death, many illustrators also took to social media with artwork commemorating the Queen’s legacy.
“RIP Lady Boss,” said illustrator Daniel Hoi. Lady Boss is the affectionate term used by Hongkongers to address the Queen, who was the employer on paper for civil servants in Hong Kong from 1952 to 1997. Government letters from that era bore the wording, “On Her Majesty’s Service”.
Another illustrator, Cuson Lo, shared artwork of the Queen waving goodbye on television, recalling how her photo was once shown on television stations here at the end of their daily broadcasts while UK’s then national anthem “God Save the Queen” was played.
“The Queen would say bye-bye to us when the television stations closed when I was young,” he said.
According to Twitter user Elson Tong, the flag at the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong was seen lowered to half-mast at 2am Hong Kong time to mourn the passing of the Queen.
Flag at the British Consulate in Hong Kong has been lowered to half mast at 2am local time to mourn the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/Gwa1Rcc7zP
— Elson Tong (@elson_tong) September 8, 2022
The British Consulate-General announced today that a book of condolences will be open at its venue on Justice Drive in Admiralty from 12pm to 5pm today and 10am to 4pm next week for members of the public to offer their condolences.
They are also welcoming condolences online at www.royal.uk.
— UK in Hong Kong 🇬🇧 (@UKinHongKong) September 9, 2022
