TUMULT RENEWED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 10

TUMULT RENEWED

CROWDS IN POURING RAIN

SPIRITS UNDAMPED

(Received May 13, 10.30 a.m.)

LONDON, May 12,

Their Majesties' departure from the Abbey was the signal for renewed tumultuous acclamations which were sure to last throughout the six miles of the route. The little Princesses came out of the annexe just ahead; of Queen Mary. Princess Margaret was a little bewildered but was. smiling bravely. Princess Elizabeth was more composed. • They sat with their Royal grandmother, smiling at the roar of plaudits from the sea of, waving handkerchiefs and hats as they drove off in their glass,coach;

Then, amid the clang of the Abbey ;bells, rung in "clashes," a roll of drums, and the triumphal chords of

"God Save Their Majesties," appeased the King, wearing the Imperial Crown of blazing jewels and carrying' the Orb and the Sceptre, and the Queen, wearing her Crown and carrying her Sceptre. They met with another terrific roar of cheering.

Both looked tired. The King appeared the more inscrutable, and the Queen visibly showed her happiness. They again entered .the gold coach, and as they departed at 2.23 p.m. the cheering rose in a crescendo to f an almost unbelievable pitch. AMID PELTING RAIN. . The first spatter of rain fell when their Majesties' coach was entering the Embankment, but it did not affect the enthusiasm of a thousand children whose shrill cheers equalled in volume, if not in resonance, the reception accorded their Majesties throughout the State drive.

The rain became heavier, and thousands of spectators covered their heads with newspapers. Others were seemingly oblivious of the downpour, even when the thunderstorm forced many to run to shelter. The enthusiasm continued at the same high note, cheers being interspersed with shouts of "God save the King. Long live their Majesties."

One of the finest welcomes was accorded their Majesties amid the pelting rain by thousands of ex-servicemen who were given special positions in Hyde Park. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. J. A. Lyons, and Mrs. Lyons received continual cheers, and the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, was also much acclaimed.

Despite the persistent downpour, the enthusiasm was not damped as the golden coach descended Constitution-

Hill. People in the packed stands, many of which were filled with overseas visitors who had been, cheering their own representatives and troops as they passed, rose and gave, round after' round of acclamations which swept along like a tidal wave. The thunderclouds overhead caused such darkness that the electric lights in the coach were switched on and shone on their Majesties' smiling faces.

There were similar amazing scenes of loyalty as the coach rounded the Victoria Memorial and entered the south gate of Buckingham Palace. Their Majesties descended and were received with a Royal salute and the National Anthem, in which everyone joined. WELCOMED ON THE BALCONY. ' Thousands waited with the rain beating on their upturned faces, watching the palace balcony in the hope that their Majesties would appear, and continually shouting the chorus "We want the King and Queen. We want the King and Queen." Then, at 2.50 p.m., their Majesties, still wearing their crowns and the Coronation robes, came on to the balcony. They met with a gigantic roar of welcome and bowed repeatedly.

The cheering, still full-throated, continued when the Princesses, wearing their golden coronets, appeared and stood ' front of their Majesties and looked over the balcony. Queen Mary, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent joined their Majesties, causing further cheering. The Royal party remained on the balcony for five minutes, and left as the throngs were singing "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows," whereupon the thousands immediately spontaneously broke out into the National Anthem.