Princess Elizabeth was warmly welcomed to Sunderland in 1946 on a rainy April day.
The Echo was there to record the occasion and we can share those historic scenes with you.
The royal visitor launched a ship called the British Princess from the Deptford yard of Sir James Laing and Sons.
She also visited Sunderland Eye Infirmary where nurses formed a guard of honour for her when she left.
Take a look at a piece of Wearside history.
![Princess Elizabeth photographed in the Laings yard.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ5OWUyOWQwLWMyOWItNGQwYy05ZWIxLTUwZGEyNTg2YWQxNjpjM2IzMzg4OC0xMjljLTQyY2YtYThlZC00MjQ1OWQ0M2VkMGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![A smile for the Echo photographer.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmY2NTQ2ZGExLTc0MTUtNDdhNy05NmEyLWNkYTQ4NTM0MWYwZTpkMTBhYzFjNS04ZWY0LTQ2MjktYjk3ZC02ZTdlMTAxYmVlODA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![Her Royal Highness names the 12, ton tanker British Princess at the Deptford Yard of Sir James Laing and Sons.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjJjZDc5MzVmLTM2MjQtNGUxZS1hZWQxLTAwZWNjNzg4NmI3NDoyNWRmMTEyNS0xODllLTQxYWItYjM5ZC1hZjIxM2UwNjVjZjg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. The official launch
Her Royal Highness names the 12, ton tanker British Princess at the Deptford Yard of Sir James Laing and Sons. Photo: Sunderland Echo
![A tour of the yard as the crowds watch.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgxZTZlZTRiLWNmZDItNGZlNy05MGJiLTcwODgyNjllZTBkMzo4ZDI0MDRjZC0wYzFlLTRlYjgtYjQxMi1hZTk2ZWQyODNmNDE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
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