The last hurrah: South Africa and the Royal Tour of 1947

In 'The Last Hurrah', Graham Viney has written a fascinating account of a pivotal moment in South African history.

In vivid prose he describes the background to the Royal Tour and its progress across the country in the specially commissioned white train.

More than this, Viney provides interesting analysis of the politics of the time and the society, fractious as ever, which welcomed King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and their two daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

The tour was a show of Empire solidarity and a recognition of South Africa's role and contribution to the Allied cause during World War II, and more specifically of Prime Minister Jan Smuts.