Coronation Day

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 6

Coronation Day

King and Queen Rode to the Abbey Humbly, Hand in Hand UNIQUE DESCRIPTION OF PAGEANTRY CORONATION Day in London, which will remain for millions of people the highlight among memories of splendid pageantry, has been described over and over again for the New Zealand public. But no more vivid and intimate picture of the magnificent scene has been received than this account by a woman in London, writing to her mother in New Zealand.

to ner momer in iww JT was an unforgettable time—very exhausting from the aged parent’s point of view while we were living through it, but in retrospect all that is left out, and one remembers only the thrill of it and the fun of seeing everything. Our seats were at the Palace eud of the Mall, and we reached them about

4.45 o'clock on a raw and foggy morning We could have gone much later as" it happened, but we were all so afraid of missing the seats that we really seemed to spend most of the night in getting ready to go. As a matter of fact, from about 5.30 a.m. onward, there wasn't a dull moment, mba it,,11 was n mustering place for

The Mall was a mustering piace m troops for all parts of the route, and we had such unrehearsed incidents as the marine who dropped his helmet a la Bateman —and had to kick it along before he could pick it up, not to mention a platoon of Guards which turned two ways on the one order! It was very chilly and unpleasant until about 10 a.m., when the sun just managed to show before the big moment came, but we were provided with cushions and had brought rugs and food. Coffee-stalls and every other

food. vonee-staiis ami ever? viuv. convenience were provided. Shy in Their Great Moment. I7ROM 9 a.m. we lived in a whirl of emotions of which we had not believed ourselves capable. I, for one. and I think mine was a fairly common experience, had set forth with a big heartache, still thinking “if only it had been the Other One?’ and not greatly interested in present-day monarchy in spite of all the Press “puffs” to rouse our enthusiasm. But when I saw them, quite apart from the unbelievable bea.uty and magnificence of the setting, my heart went out to them; they looked more like a pair of medieval saints setting out to receive their eternal crown than George and Elizabeth going to the Coronation. They looked so ypung, so simply and utterly good, so obviously taking on a task which terrified them, so dedicated to making a good job of it.

so dedicated to mailing a goou jou 01 it, and so nervous, as if apologising for the fact they were not that other dear charmer. Uncertain of their reception, they clutched hands on the seat of the coach, as if to see each other through the worst, whatever happened. Coming back, they were radiant and I must say people did give them a marvellous acclamation. I think it was not. mere mob fickleness. I think people felt, as I did, that here were two simple, good people who had unwanted greatness thrust upon them in bitter circumstances, and who had taken on their task with all the pluck and dignity possible; that here were two who, until they died, would not break faith with the Empire nor fail the trust of the humblest in it. Cheers from New Zealand. ' r FIIE Queen looked really lovely, much better than she ever does in a photograph. for her appeal is in her expression. Princess Marina, in her glass coach, was the climax of all fairy stories come to life: and the old Queen the little Duchess of Gloucester and the Royal Princesses gave us something of which we could really be proud. Incidentally, your grandsons did what they could to reassure timid Royalty on the early part of its journey. Everyone was rather stiff and half-awake, and the stands where we were seemed filled for the most part with staid and elderly folk. The boys decided something must be done about it, so when the

j first procession started they proceeded s to let out what I can only describe as r football bellows and waved New ZeaS land flags. So electrifying was the a atmosphere that personalities even on the opposite side of the route looked at them and smiled : one old Admiral f riding by himself positively turned back t and grinned at them !

Elated by their success, they collected individual smiles from the subsequent processions. The Queen, who was on the other side of the coach, looked under the King's elbow and smiled straight at them, whereupon they embraced each other, more or less, and almost fell off their pews. I expect the Royalties thought it was some

form of “haka,” and that they must acknowledge it “specially graciously. ’ After the King’s procession, we had the broadcast from the Abbey, which was wonderfully well done-—sb much so that people stopped walking rtbom, eating and smoking, and behaved as if they were present at the ceremony, automatically standing at the critical moment. From that time on till late afternoon., nothing but more processions. troops to watch from all over the world. What a day!