LAID TO REST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 46, 23 February 1934, Page 7

LAID TO REST.

WITH ROYAL DEAD. Impressive Last Rites in Palace Crypt. TOUCHING CEREMONIAL. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 2.30 p.m.) BRUSSELS, February 22. Thousands in the streets knelt ; the coffin containing the mortal remains of King Albert passed to the grim thirteenth century Church of St. (Judule, where there was the same simplicity. Black hangings draped the aged grey stones. Above the altar blazed in trophy all the Allied flags, the yellow flames of 300 candles guttering in the wind as the coffin was carried up the aisle to the surrounded high catafalque. The King's cavalry sabre, his brown helmet —the stained helmet he had worn in the trenches —were, then placed on the eoflin. The Queen and her Royal ladies, almost impenetrably veiled, seemed as statues of grief as they knelt with bowed heads throughout the service. The new King was a striking figure in khaki as lie followed the eoflin accompanied by his taller brother, the Count of Flanders. The King of Italy and Prince Humbert, his son, each in a long, grey Italian cloak, the Prince of Wales in an admiral's uniform, King Boris of Bulgaria, the Crown Prince Olaf of Norway, the bearded Prince Consort of Holland, and M. Lebrun, President of France, in evening dress, followed next. After them came richly uniformed Court officials and diplomats. The requiem occupied an hour, and Cardinal Archbishop gave absolution. The service ended with the military band playing "La Brabanconne" on muted instruments, while the coffin was carried out. The King's standard, draped in crepe, led the procession to Laeken, where the whole procession of troops , marclied past the coffin lying on a gun carriage. Music was now heard for the first time. French and Belgians went swinging past in quick march, while the British blow marched to the "Dead March in Saul" with the roll of muffled drums. The la?t rites were paid when Cardinal Archbishop gave final absolution within the crypt. This was witnessed only by the Royal mourners, who watched the coffin lowered slowly to the vault whero it will rest with the Belgian Royal dead.