BRILLIANT CEREMONIES

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 5

BRILLIANT CEREMONIES

PRINCE IN BARODA,

SFiSNDOTTBS OP HATIVE STATE (By Cable—Press Association.—Copyright.) DELHI, November 24. The Prince of Wales arrived at Baroda to-day, and was given his first glinspse of the splendours of a native State. He was welcomed by the Gaekwar with all the traditional ceremonial, and was driven through the beflagged and garlanded streets.

Tho day has been one of glittering pageantry, and has furnished great scenes of Oriental brilliance. The Prines here is in thp midst of an Indian population. He was received by Stats troops and guards of honour in gala dress. Elephants covered with gold cloth and bearing jewelled howdahs and batteries of gold and silver guns were drawn up before tho Laximi Villas, the Gaekwars palace, with rows of silver carriages and caparisoned horses. The G'arkwar's State jewels, including diamonds valued at more than £,'5,000,000, were on view..

The entire population was massed in the roadways from the station to the palace, and waved a welcome and cheered a≤ the Prince passed by. At a reception officials made offerings of gold to the Prince, who touched them and' remitted them to thp donors. The Oaeknar garlanded the Prince with a, gold chain which drooped nearly to his feet.

Subsequently thp Prince was entertained at a garden party unlike any he has ever attended before, and this "was followed by a State banquet, which also was a brilliant function.— (A. and N.Z.)