TO ENGLAND BY SEAPLANE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16299, 24 August 1918, Page 7

TO ENGLAND BY SEAPLANE.

KING AND QU EEN OF THE BELGIANS' FLIGHT. LONDON, Jnly 11. A royal air escort of three Belgian seaplanes guarded King Albert and Queen Elizabeth on their flight over the English Channel from Belgium to England on Saturday morning, on a trip which markod the first time in history that any ruler has ever made a flight from one country, to another. The royal couple travelled in separate seaplanes, each operated by a Belgian army aviator. On the British side of the Channel the King' landed first near a British warship off Dover. The Queen -descended soon afterwards, her sea-" plane also landing near a _ warship. They started from the Belgian coast and made tho trip to England in a'bout fifty minutes. The purpose of their visit to England was to attend the silver anniversary of King George and Queen Mary on Saturday. This is the first timo since the war began that Kirig Albert has visited London, and virtually the first time since August, of 1914, that he has been outside his native land. The only time that King Albert has been outside of Belgium has been during one or two informal trips into France, Queen Elizabeth was most enthusiastic about the voyage, telling al)out it wherever she went and whenever anyone asked the details of the trip. Despite the fact that tho Queen has ridden in airplanes before, she had never been over the eea. The King, who hna for a long time taken much interest in airplanes, has made many flights, so that among friends in London he did not seem to appear to think there was anything particularly novel about his flight. TTie first few days after he arrived, ho 6aid, lie would rather not have tne newspapers tell of his trip. Both the King and Queen wore aviation costumes which # they had previously used. This is tne first time in history that sny royal personages have crossed the Channel by airplane. The Queen's maid of honour and the King's tJitourago came 'by boat and rail. Whether the royal couple will return by seaplane or by boat nas not been announced.

The Belgian monarcba received in England by Vice-Admiral Sir Roger J. B. Kcyes, commanding tho English Channel squadron. On t>eing taken ashoro they motored to London. The ■weather wiw ideal for flying, which pTompted the royal couplo to make the trip, both having long contemplated flying across the Channel. In addition to attending the silver anniversary of King George and Qneen Mary the Eoyal guests visited the British Grand Fle'.t, going to the naval base on Tuesday. This was something they were planning for months. No formalities markea -.heir departure from Belgium, few, with the exception of' Belgian officials, being aware that they were about to take the trip. With the exception of Admiral Reyes and several other high British no one in England knew of their coming. Belgian scout -machines started first. Then came tho seaplanes bearing the King and Queen, with another scout bringing up the rear. The King and Queen of the Belgians attended to-day a concert given by the famous Belgian Orchestra, which is visiting London. Speaking at this function, Earl Curzon, member of tho \Var Cabinet, said in his reference to the royal couple:— "On Saturday morning they flew over here. They were the first king ana queen to descend upon our coast from the sky. To welcome our own King and Queen on the memorable occasion on Saturday last, and to show their sympathy with the wounded sailors and soldiers, tho King and Queen of the Belgians took n short respite from their life of watching and waiting in the angle of Belgium, which is still left to them—watching for the nest assault of the brutal enemy." The Belgian King and Qneen were greeted with great enthusiasm at the concert, where thousands of Belgians had assembled.