When Elizabeth II charmed Bangladesh during her 2 visits

There are many monarchies in the world but Britain’s now late Queen Elizabeth II was the archetype of kingship. Prone to controversies, the royal family has always fascinated the world. But Elizabeth was different. She was a queen of modest nature, yet her influence on global affairs was far-reaching, which Bangladesh came to understand during her two visits to the country.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Bangladesh on November 14, 1983. Prior to that, in 1961, she came to Dhaka, which was then the capital of east Pakistan.

In November 1983, the queen accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, attended a low-key ceremony led by the country’s then military president Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband were taken by a motorcade to the State Guest House where they last stayed in 1961.

The royal couple stayed in Bangladesh from November 14 to 17, 1983, before leaving for New Delhi, India, where the queen opened the Commonwealth Summit.

The then military government of Bangladesh had spent $2 million on giving Dhaka a facelift for the queen’s visit despite World Bank calling Bangladesh the third poorest country in the world back then.

Colourful posters of Queen Elizabeth II, banners reading “Long live Bangladesh-United Kingdom friendship” and Union Jack flags lined the 18-mile route from the airport.

Among the highlights of Queen Elizabeth’s Bangladesh trip was a visit to the National Memorial, where she laid a wreath to honour those martyred during the Liberation War of 1971.

The queen travelled by train to visit a “model village” – 35 miles south of the capital Dhaka – and watched how rice is turned into “muri”, handicrafts, including quilts and pottery.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Save the Children centre in Dhaka and met beneficiaries. Bangladesh Railway presented Her Majesty a wooden plaque with metal relief and a scrolling leaf border.

The UK's longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died at Balmoral in Scotland at the age of 96, after reigning for 70 years.

The Bangladesh government has announced three-day mourning at the death of British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

The national flag will be hoisted at half-mast for three days from today (Friday) and special prayers for the departed soul will also be arranged.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social and global changes.