GREAT BRITAIN: Reunion in Paradise

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Handshake, No Bow. Even before Elizabeth arrived on the island, she had agreed to change her traveling plans so as not to interfere with the island kingdom's strictly observed Methodist Sabbath. Queen Salote made an equal concession in permitting her subjects for the first time to greet both her and the British royalty with a handshake in the British fashion, instead of the low bow favored in Tonga. From all over her kingdom, the Friendly Islanders came by two-wheeled horsecart and outrigger canoe to extend the greeting.

At a banquet—4,200 suckling pigs and 2,100 chickens—the Tongan Prime Minister, Queen Salote's elder son, college-bred Crown Prince Tongi, made a glowing speech of welcome. Then, in high good humor, Elizabeth of Britain and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh settled back to eat the rich fare with their fingers, while wildly gyrating laka laka dancers whirled to the music of nose flutes.

Next morning, after a dawn serenade, the visiting couple attended church, then boarded the liner Gothic. As Queen Salote and her family circled the huge vessel in a government launch, the Gothic steamed off toward New Zealand. When the big white ship was hull down on the horizon, a radio message winged its way back: "We take away happiest memories of Tonga and the great and friendly welcome given us by your people. May Almighty God watch over them and you."