The young King and Queen of Thailand on a state visit to London drove with a Sovereign's Escort of mounted guards along London's royal avenue - the Mall - bedecked with the red, white and blue flags of Thailand and Britain, to attend a banquet as guests of the Lord Mayor and City of London at Guildhall, July 20.

King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit drove in an open carriage. He wore naval uniform. Many eyes were on the Queen, bare-headed and wearing national dress. The Lord Mayor, Sir Edmund Stockdale greeted them outside the Guildhall. Joining in the welcome was Princess Alexandra, daughter of the Duchess of Kent, who was a recent visitor to Thailand.

In a speech, the King thanked the Lord Mayor and City for their welcome. As a token of his gratitude he presented a model of a Siames barge richly-carved.