TOUCHING SCENES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 95, 19 October 1934, Page 10

TOUCHING SCENES

BOY KING AND MOTHER

BREAK DOWN BY GRAVESIDE

Cnlted Press Association—By Electric Tel* ■ graph—Copyright. (Received October 19, noon.) BELGRADE, October 18. The funeral procession traversed the streets without the slightest hitch, or •incident through enormous crowds who had been waiting all night. There was an impressively simple service in the Cathedral, at which King Peter, dressed in a Scout's uniform, sat on a blackdraped throne, his legs dangling and his face pale and serious. His mother, his uncle, Prince Paul, and other Eoyalties were close behind. Soldiers drew the coffin on a guncarriage preceded by a simple woodea cross, Peter and his mother following, while French, Czech, Rumanian, and Yugoslav aeroplanes, flying only a few feet above the houses, dipped in salute. As the coffin passed through the crowds there were shrill . cries of anguish and many men and women threw themselves on their knees and bowed their heads to the ground. . On arrival at the station all the troops marched past the coffin, whileKing Peter, his mother, and his grandmother, the Queen of Rumania, stood alongside. Guards' officers carried the coffin to a waiting-room, where King Carol of Buniania, the Duke of Kent, Prince Cyril of; Bulgaria, and the Duke of Spoleto saluted. The coffin was then! placed in a railway coach draped in black with two white crosses. The Boyalties and chiefs of foreign delegations entered the riext coach, and the train slowly moved off. The engine was draped entirely in black, with an inscription in front, Alexander's last words, "Guard Yugoslavia." Amid intensely moving scenes peasant winners of the Yugoslavian. Victoria Cross bore Alexander's coffin into the ■ marble church at Topola. Queen Marie and King Peter led the mourners' procession. They showed Bplehdid fortitude until the coffin was being lowered into ttie grave. Then both broke down. Others were unable to restrain their emotions. Alexander's servants and retainers beat their breasts and wailed until the crypt echoed with their cries. Queen Marie collapsed and was supported from the church, by; Prince Paul.