State Visits to Britain had never, previous to the visit
of the French President, M. Auriol and his wife, been the sole subject
of a special number of the ILN. However, so close were the ties between
Britain and France since the war that the ILN published
‘The State Visit of the President of the French Republic’
issue. (Appendix List No. 137) on March 18th 1950.
The visit lasted from March 7th to March 10th during which the King and
Queen accompanied and entertained their guests to a full round of visits
and occasions, from placing a wreath on the grave of the Unknown Warrior
in Westminster Abbey and lunch at Guildhall to a State Banquet at Buckingham
Palace and a Covent Garden Gala Performance. These and other events are
recaptured in a fourteen page special supplement, including a colour plate
of President and Madame Auriol.
The top third of the advertising wrapper has a crossed Tricolour and Union
Jack against the Thames background and the magazine’s special nature
is printed in a badge-like frame.
This is issue number 5787, vol. 216, pages 393-440, measuring 37 x 26
cm and priced at two shillings.