The Stamp Of Royalty

It’s not often that anybody has the opportunity for a close look at the signature and seal of a reigning monarch but here are two, side-by-side, photographed by Rob Wright.

THEY are of Queen Elizabeth of Britain and Queen Salote of Tonga, and they were photo graphed on the occasion of the ratification in May of the Treaty of Friendship between the two King doms. The Treaty was signed last year and the instruments were ex changed at the May ceremonies in Nukualofa—the Governor of Fiji, Sir Kenneth Maddocks representing Britain (as reported in PIM, June.) At left, Queen Salote makes a charming picture as she signs the Tongan copy of the Treaty which is bound in tapa. Later this copy was handed across the table to Sir Kenneth, to be sent home to Britain.

Queen Elizabeth’s copy, signed with its large round hand, will be kept in Tonga.

Tonga’s first Treaty of Friendship and Protection with Britain was signed in 1900 and ratified the fol lowing year. At a time of Pacific troubles, when many Powers had their eyes on the Pacific, the Treaty enabled Tonga to retain its in

dependence. And .Bntain thus

avoided the risk of an y Power occupying Tonga and threat ening Britain’s nearby territories.

[?]wo Royal signatures and two [?]al sedls are in the pictures above, [?] below, one of the monarchs, [?]en Salote, is seen in the act of [?]ling. The signatures are on the [?]aty of Friendship ratified be en Tonga and Britain in late [?]. Queen Elizabeth had signed [?]ain’s document in February, and [?]as sent out to Tonga in exchange Tonga’s Treaty.