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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Georgina Maka'a in Honiara, Angus Delaney in Suva and Ginny Stein in Port Vila

EXPLAINED: Flags at half mast and a complicated colonial legacy pacific countries remember the queen | Vintage Vibes

Queen Elizabeth ll during her tour of the South Pacific, in 1982
Queen Elizabeth ll during her tour of the South Pacific, in 1982 Photograph: Tim Graham/Getty Images

George Mackenzie was in first grade at Koloale primary school in Honiara when Queen Elizabeth first visited Solomon Islands in 1974.

“I remembered we were all lined up along Chinatown under the pouring rain to wave our union jack flags at the Queen when she drove past us,” said Mackenzie, who is now 57.

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