It was 42 years ago—but so what? It still counts!
On February 22, 1983, La Paz witnessed one of the most significant moments in its modern history: the official visit of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
When the Queen made one of her visits to Mexico, it is said that one of the reasons she included La Paz on her itinerary was her curiosity about the South Californian pearl. The history and quality of these pearls had captured her attention, particularly because the crown she inherited from her great-grandfather, Edward VII, features a giant pearl from the Sea of Cortez.
Accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the British monarch set foot on South Californian soil on a day that is still remembered with awe and nostalgia by those who witnessed it. Her visit was not just a formal diplomatic event—it placed Baja California Sur on the international stage.
The then-governor, Alberto A. Arámburo, organized a grand reception and even declared a school holiday so that students could attend. The entire community was encouraged to take part in this unprecedented occasion.
The La Paz dock underwent renovations to accommodate the royal visitors. A blue carpet—after all, this was royalty, not Hollywood—was laid out, and a floating platform was constructed to facilitate the Queen’s disembarkation from the majestic royal yacht, Britannia.
At precisely 11:30 a.m., Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed by the governor and his wife, María Teresa Soto, in a solemn ceremony that included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. This plaque, still preserved at the dock, bears the inscription:
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, disembarked here as part of their official visit to Mexico.”
Following the official reception, the Queen embarked on a brief but meaningful tour of downtown La Paz.
She was seen strolling along the boardwalk under the bright sun, visiting landmarks such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Paz and the Velasco Garden kiosk. There, she met with local citizens, who had gathered in admiration and respect to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors.
Later, a special breakfast was held in her honor at the Government House in El Caimancito. From there, the Queen had the opportunity to take in the breathtaking beauty of the South Californian coastline before continuing with her itinerary.
One of the most memorable moments of the visit was her trip to the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon in the municipality of Mulegé. There, she had the chance to observe the iconic gray whales in their natural habitat.
It is said that Queen Elizabeth II showed particular interest in this natural phenomenon and that her visit helped draw international attention to the ecological wealth of Baja California Sur.
Now, 42 years later, and despite Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022, her visit remains a cherished part of La Paz’s history—a legacy that continues to live on in the collective memory of the city.