History

03 Dec 1957

Edith Belcher, wife of US Consul General Taylor Belcher, described the swearing in ceremony of Sir Hugh Foot at Government House

 

Edith Belcher, wife of US Consul General Taylor Belcher, described the swearing in ceremony of Sir Hugh Foot at Government House:

Home for quick lunch and change. Ryan not here yet. Lolos drove us up, flags flying. Much security all around Government House of course. Ceremony was held in living room with doors dropped down to make larger. Consular corps had good spot in front rows. Vlachos and Ishin in front row, right together, but didn’t speak. Mrs. Ishin looked right at them when she came in and never said a word, not even a nod from any of them. In back of us sat Turks and Leshems, and Farahs next to us. Farah is new Lebanese consul and both are very nice – speak hardly any English. Good practice for us.

Fascinating to watch all the brass and notables parade in. The legal branch of government done up in full regalia and when Sir Paget walked in, I said to Toby, my God, Gilbert and Sullivan. Wig, buckle shoes, high socks, the works. Most impressive, but I couldn’t help giggling. Dr. Kuchuk was there, of course; all the churches represented, with exception of Greek Orthodox. All Greeks boycotted the ceremony and empty seats around us most prominent. The Mufti was there, sweet wee soul, and next to him sat Adeney. Empty seats next to him for Greek Representatives. Excitement high – across ceremony space from us sat all the service heads – Bourne, Patch, Miers, the works, and of course done up as though it were the coronation which, in a sense, it is.