An era washed away like tears in rain: Patten in an emotional farewell AP From: June 30, 1997 Governor Chris Patten and Prince Charles delivered hopeful but somewhat melancholy farewell speeches today as Hong Kong prepared to revert to Chinese rule. Standing in a heavy downpour at the governor's mansion, an emotionally spent Patten and his family choked back tears as "God Save the Queen" was played for the final time on the grounds. "Hong Kong people are to run Hong Kong," Patten said. "That is the promise and that is the unshakable destiny." Union Jack in hand, the governor and his family then departed for the Britannia, the royal yacht which just a few minutes past midnight local time will carry British dominion into the sunset after 1 1/2 centuries of colonial rule. But Patten, who has been highly criticized by the mainland for a number of democratic reforms, left without regrets and a solid approval rating. A recent poll conducted by the Hong Kong Baptist University found 62 percent thought he was doing a good job, compared to 53 percent for Chief Executive designate Tung Chee-Hwa. Prince Charles' speech, delivered on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, was considerably less emotional, and echoed many of the same points as Patten's. Bonds between the two societies and confidence in Hong Kong's people to develop their society were repeatedly played up. With a flourish of British pomp and a drizzle of rain, Charles, in his characteristically reserved style, emphasized that "Britain is part of Hong Kong's history and Hong Kong is part of Britain's history," and that the two societies are also "part of each other's future." -- Taran Provost More on this subject: Hong Kong: Dynamo in Transition