LETTERSFrom David Summers, Shanklin:
ON February 2, 1952, I was in the control tower at RAF El-Adem (near Tobruk, Libya), when the aircraft carrying Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip staged through on the way to Kenya.
Leaving the plane to be refuelled, the royal couple walked to the VIP lounge and in due course returned to their holiday transport with, I think, a "holiday walk".
Sadly the situation changed with the passing of His Majesty King George, and on February 8 the Royal party landed again at El-Adem.
I was on duty then and heard the message that mourning wear would be handed in at Heathrow.
It was noticeable that walking to and from the VIP lounge, the Duke of Edinburgh walked half a step behind Her Majesty (as on all public occasions since) and the Queen already bore that special aura, which all her subjects have come to love.