KING GEORGE'S PLEDGE TO EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 296, 14 December 1936, Page 7

KING GEORGE'S PLEDGE TO EMPIRE.

DUKEDOM CONFERRED ON EDWARD.

(Received 12.30.) LONDON, December 13. A special issue of the "London Gazette" prints the King s speech to the Accession Council as follows:— I meet you to-day in circumstances unparalleled in the history of our country. Now that the duties of sovereignty have fallen to me, I declare to you my adherence to the strict principles of constitutional government and my resolve to work before else for the welfare of the British Commonwealth of Nations. With my wife as helpmate by my side I take up the heavy task, in which I look for the support of all my peoples. Furthermore, my first act on succeeding my brother will be to confer on him a dukedom. He will henceforth be known as His Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor. Greeted by a crowd the King and the two Princesses drove to Marlborough House from Piccadilly and attended Divine service in the private chapel with Queen Mary, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Earl and Countess of Athlone. Queen Elizabeth, who is recovering from a slight cold, remained indoors.