ALL EMPIRE PRESENT AS GUESTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 58, 1 December 1934, Page 7

ALL EMPIRE PRESENT AS GUESTS

Millions of Listeners-in

CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE

PROCEEDINGS

(British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, November 29.

Never in history has a marriage been attended by such a vast company of witnesses as was that of the Duke cf Kent to the Princess Marina of Greece, which, in the presence of an august and distinguished congregation, was solemnised in Westminster Abbey to-day. Vast multitudes of people who thronged the route of the wedding procession followed the service in the Abbey in hushed silence, as it was broadcast from scores of outdoor loudspeakers, and in millions of homes not only in Britain, but throughout the Empire and in many foreign countries, unseen witnesses joined in the service. In his brief address at the conclusion of the ceremony the Archbishop cf Canterbury, who conducted the service. said that as a result of a new and marvellous invention of science the whole nation and the Empire had become wedding guests. Early reports from many distant parts show that the Archbishop’s comment was in fact an under-statement. In Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Yugoslavia, where the Duchess of Kent has family associations, a perfect reception of the broadcast is reported, and even the responses of bride and bridegroom were heard as clearly as by those gathered around the altar. Whole World Hears. In many other European countries, Sweden, France, Germany, Finland, Rumania, Hungary and Austria, for example, in which the wedding had aroused interest, wireless listeners maintained intimate touch with the solemn proceedings in Westminster Abbey. Throughout the North American continent, and particularly in the United States and Canada, the service was also followed by wireless listeners. It was less perfectly received in South Africa, but in Australia and New Zealand although owing to the inconvenience’ of the hour there must have been fewer listeners, the whole service was clear'y audible, • The popular welcome to the newlymarried pair on their way from the Ab bey to Buckingham Palace expressed itself in almost continuous cheering, to which the Duke and Duchess graciously responded with smiles and handwaving. It was renewed later after the wedding breakfast at the Palace, at which 120 guests attended, when under a rain of rose petals, silver horseshoes and lovers’ knots with which the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, and other members of the Royal Family pelted them, Hie Royal couple, in a semi-state landau drawn by four of the famous “Windsor Greys,” set off from the Palace on their honeymoon. All the way to Paddington Station great crowds lined the route, and London’s final cheer went up as the Royal train steamed out.. Most Impressive Scene. Probably the most impressive scene during the day occurred when, after returning from the celebration of the Greek Church ceremony in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace, the bride and bridegroom appeared on the balcony in front of the Palace before which an immense crowd which filled the great enclosure around the Queen Victoria Memorial and stretched far ■ip the Mall had assembled. They were joined by the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess Nicolas and some other members of the Royal party, including the little Princess Margaret Rose. There was a particularly warm cheer when the King raised his youngest grandchild in iris arms for her to wave to the crowd.

A further demonstration of good wishes was accorded the Duke and Duchess when they arrived by train at Birmingham, and all along the route to Dudley, near whfch at the Earl of Dudley’s country seat, Himley Hall, the first part of the honeymoon is being spent, thousands of spectators waved their greetings.