This is the principal record series of the Commonwealth Organiser, containing correspondence and administrative files relating to the visit to Australia of His Royal Highness Edward, the Prince of Wales in 1920.

The files consist of papers registered in a multiple number sequence with an 'R' [Royal Visit] prefix, according to general subject headings. File covers are mostly printed with either 'Department of Defence' or 'Prime Minister's Department'. Many of the files are untitled.

The record-keeping system of the series appears to have been somewhat irregular. Four different variations seem to have operated within the overall subject-based filing system:

1. The general or main file and the case files on a subject were registered with sub-class numbers of the one main subject primary number.

2. The general or main file on a subject was registered with the main subject number, and case files were given sub-class numbers but were interfiled within the main body of the general file at the point dealing with each case.

3. The general or main file on a subject was given a single number registration, with other case or related files being registered as separate files with sub-class numbers (i.e. they were not interfiled with the main file).

4. Each file was registered with a separate single number.

Files have been described in the inventory of items to reflect these differences in file format. On a few files part numbers have been imposed by Australian Archives.

The files document the work of the Commonwealth Organiser and Staff, covering various subjects, eg. Invitations, suggestions, accounts, accommodation, transport, appointment of organisations and Staff, programmes, His Majesty's Ship "Renown", Naval Arrangements,
presentations and commemorations, gratuities, press matters,
addresses of welcome, military arrangements, visits, etiquette, dress and precedence. There is one file on expenditure and accounts matters; however, a separate series (CRS A6679 Expenditure files, Royal Visit, 1920-1922), contains most of the accounts matters and statements of expenditure, etc.

The files in this series were perused in 1926 by the Staff of the 1927 Royal Visit Organisation. Some material was at that time destroyed but notes were also added to some files. A few files also contain single folios added after the closure of the agency. [In one case, later action was recorded on a "Royal Visit" file in 1936 by the Prime Minister's Department regarding the sale of film footage of the 1920 visit to cinema companies]. In such cases explanatory notes have been included in the inventory of items.