Record of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent opening the Accident Centre at Middlesbrough General Hospital on the 20 May 1959. The film shows the princess arriving at the hospital, introduced to various dignitaries and touring the new facilities. Includes footage of the princess visiting a newly built housing estate and meeting a family of ten at one of the houses. The film opens with a shot of a large crowd standing behind a wooden barrier across the road from Middlesbrough...

Record of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent opening the Accident Centre at Middlesbrough General Hospital on the 20 May 1959. The film shows the princess arriving at the hospital, introduced to various dignitaries and touring the new facilities. Includes footage of the princess visiting a newly built housing estate and meeting a family of ten at one of the houses. The film opens with a shot of a large crowd standing behind a wooden barrier across the road from Middlesbrough General Hospital on Ayresome Street in Middlesbrough. General view of the front entrance of the hospital where a small crowd is gathered beside a marque. The princess arrives by car as policemen attempt to hold back the crowd who rush forward. Standing behind a small wall are ten nurses waiting to greet the princess. She steps out of the car and is greeted by a man in military dress uniform. He salutes her as she waves to the crowd. In the background a man in civic chains stands waiting to greet the princess and three men take photographs. A man in a dark suit introduces the princess to a number of guests. Behind a wooden barrier, and in front of the 'Jack Martin' shop, crowds wave at the camera. The princess is led into the hospital by the man in the dark suite and man in civic chains. She waves to hospital staff who are standing along the path into the building. General view of a group of women who smile at the camera.  In the stairway of the hospital above the entrance a number of doctors and nurses look down. The princess and other dignitaries come back out of the hospital and walk into a marquee. The princess, holding a bouquet, unveils a metal plaque that is attached to the wall near to the hospital entrance. A Matron leads the princess around the hospital and introduces her to number of nurses. As they shake her hand they all curtsey. The princess speaks with a young girl in a hospital bed. In another ward she speaks with an older woman who is also laying in a hospital bed. The princess and other guests are led back downstairs by the Matron where she signs the hospitals visitors. book. She leaves the hospital and waves to the large crowd of people standing around on the pavement. Outside 'Hamilton's Music Store' police have difficulty holding back the crowds.  The scene changes and shows the princess stepping out of her car to be greeted by a man wearing civic dress. Behind him stands a woman in a flowery dress and another man holding a sceptre. Behind a wooden barrier a small boy waves at the camera. The princess speaks with a senior police officer and shakes the hand of woman who curtseys. She waves at the crowds standing in the background. The scene changes to show the princess arriving with the man in civic chains at a newly constructed housing estate. She shakes hands with an older woman who is flanked by two younger women in dark uniforms. A large crowd in the street wave at the princess who is then presented with a bouquet by a small girl. The princess takes the girls hand and leads her to a family with ten children standing in the doorway of a house. Groups of children in the street wave at the princess who is seen speaking with the family. Children in the window of an upstairs room look down on the princess as she and the man in civic chains leave the property. She waves at the surrounding crowds as she gets into her car and is driven away. [The following section of films is another version of the above showing many of the same events but filmed from different positions] General view of the exterior of Middlesbrough General Hospital and marquee. The princess arrives by car and a man in military dress uniform gets out and walks around the princess's side to shake her hand. Dignitaries and hospital staff stand wait behind a small wall. The princess is introduced to a number of guests including a man in clerical vestments. She waves at the crowds who are standing behind wooden barricades on Ayresome Street. Seven children look out from an upstairs window. The princess and other dignitaries come back out of the hospital and walk into a marquee. Inside a man gives a speech as the princess and other guest sit behind a table with a lectern on it. General view of a large seated crowd watching the proceedings. The princess gives a speech into a microphone. The princess along with the man in civic chains and a man in a dark suit walk into the hospital where she unveils a plaque on the wall. The plaque reads; 'This building was Opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent on 20th May 1959'. The film ends with senior nurse showing the princess into a children's ward where she speaks with a small boy in a hospital bed.