1975

Queen Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, visited Bondi during a royal tour in October 1975, watching a demonstration of surf lifesaving and refusing to step on the sand.

The incident was reported in the 2007 book ‘Princess Margaret: A Life Unravelled’ by Tim Heald:

 
‘There was a ticklish occasion when the Princess mulishly told Anne Tennant, her lady-in-waiting, that she was not, as scheduled, going to step on to Bondi Beach, meet the lifeguards and see them demonstrate traditional and modern methods of lifesaving.’

Lady Anne, who had been prepared for trouble, told the Princess she ought to follow the itinerary because to be seen to snub lifeguards could be construed as an insult. The Princess refused, explaining that she was wearing the wrong shoes. She couldn't stand getting sand between her toes.

‘With an air of triumph, Lady Anne said she just happened to have a pair of flat shoes in a bag. Princess Margaret conceded defeat and stepped on to the beach.’

Lady Anne later reported in her 2019 book ‘Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown’ that when they got back into the car ‘she turned to me as she was shaking the sand out of her shoes and said, 'Well, I hope you're pleased.' Before I could answer, she added: ‘But weren't those lifeguards disappointing?’

Lady Anne explained that ‘this was typical of Princess Margaret, who always took an interest in young men, and I couldn't help but agree. Instead of the bronzed gods we were expecting, they were all so frightfully pale because it was the beginning of the season.’

One of the Bondi images on the circular Time Walk 2000 rondels on Campbell Parade, which cover aspects of Bondi's colourful heritage and beach culture, contains a quirky image of Princess Margaret's sandaled feet taken on that royal visit.

Images courtesy Waverley Library Local Studies Collection.