A small, unexpected presentation highlighted the Queen Mother's visit to Nyasaland on Saturday, July 13.

After she had presented colours to the 1st (Nyasaland) Battalion, The King's African Rifles, an officer of the battalion marched up, saluted smartly, and presented her with a diamond brooch.

The gift, which came as a surprise to the royal visitor, was handed to her on behalf of all ranks of the battalion.

Earlier in the day, the Queen Mother had renewed the strong bonds of friendship between the crown and chiefs of the territory when she attended an impressive state baraza - the first in the country - which was held in the grounds of the Zomba club.

Over 130 chiefs shook hands with the Queen Mother after representatives from the three provinces had presented addresses of welcome and gifts.

Clad in black and silver robes, Chief Somba, of the southern provinces, presented her Majesty with a copper gong suspended between two huge hippopotamus teeth.

Representing the Northern province, Chief Katumbi gave her an inlaid wood basket made at the Livinstonia mission and filled with coffee beans.

From the central province came a 40lb elephant tusk, the right hand tusk which traditionally belongs to the chief.

The chiefs were drawn up in three groups, wearing colourful robes, and the Queen Mother herself was a glittering figure in tiara, earrings, necklace, and bracelet. She was also wearing the blue sash of the Order of the Garter.

The crowd shouted and cheered, singing in Chinyanja, "We are happy, our Queen Mother is here. We wish she comes again."
In the afternoon, the emphasis was on the military side when the Queen Mother presented new colours to the 1st Battalion. Nearly 400 men were on parade and the Queen Mother was joined on the saluting base by the Governor, Sir Robert Armitage, and the Office Commanding African Command, Major-General S. Garlake.

After chatting with disabled African ex-servicemen, the Queen Mother drove to the top of the 3,000ft Zomba plateau to see the scenery.