ACCLAIMED BY MULTITUDES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 9

ACCLAIMED BY MULTITUDES

All Classes and Creeds Unite

NO HITCH IN CEREMONY AND

PROCESSIONS

World Listens to Historic Broadcast

(British Official Wireless.)

! (Received May 13, 11 a.m.)'

RUGBY, May 12.

At half an hour after noon today, to the peal of bells and the thunder of guns, George VI, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith; Emperor of India, was crowned in Westminster Abbey, and later, with his crowned Queen, was acclaimed for miles through the streets of his capital by multitudes drawn from every class and creed. The crowds, like the distinguished congregation in the Abbey, included representatives of every part of the vast territories of the British Commonwealth of Nations, which thus proclaimed their union in allegiance to the Crown as the symbol of their free and enduring association.

The long and complex programme for the Coronation ceremony and the procession was carried through with punctuality and precision fitting to the military pomp which played so large and colourful a part in the events of the day. Solemn ceremonial rich in the associations of ten centuries, combined with the jubilant welcome of the millions to assert the continuity and continuance of the ties of loyalty, trust, and service which bind together the British Monarchy and the British peoples. : ' UNSEEN MILLIONS SHARE THE PAGEANTRY A-replica in so many ways of his father's and his grandfather's Coronations, today's crowning of King Georgfe VI was made unique by one difference. Today, not only a few thousands of the august and brilliant company in the Abbey, but millions who awaited him in the streets, tens of millions in their homes or assembled in churches or halls in every town and village of Great Britain, and hundreds «f millions of his subjects overseas participated in the ceremony by means of broadcast. They heard the anthems and prayers, they heard the "Recognition" of the King with shouts echoing in the ancient vaulted arches, and with fanfares of trumpets, and they heard him take the Oath in the new form modified to conform with the constitutional changes of the Statute of Westminster. They listened to the descriptions of the proceedings, to the investiture with the bejewelled and glittering regalia and the putting on of St. Edward's Crown, and heard the mighty shouts of "God Save the King." They heard how his Majesty was enthroned on the Throne of his ancestors, and heard the homage of the peers spiritual, princes of the blood Royal, and the peers temporal. And through the eyes of the commentator they in some manner saw the lustre and glitter, the colour, movement, and the lights, the magnificence of the robes arid uniforms, the splendour of the coronets and turbans, and of the plate and insignia, and the gleam of medals and orders. Messages reaching Londen from every part of the globe show that not only the British communities but large numbers in all countries followed the Coronation broadcast with interest and enthusiasm. PEOPLE'S SYMPATHY AND AFFECTION MADE MANIFEST ; The weather was overcast but remained dry until nearly the end of the return procession from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Just before the State coach reached the Palace there was a very heavy downpour for a few minutes. The scene lost a little of its colour from the absence of sunshine, but the crowds were undaunted despite the hours of waiting. The fervour of the reception given to their Majesties along the whole of the route made manifest with what sympathy and affection the people see the King and Queen enter upon the responsibilities of their reign. ,

I Anointing of the King1 ~ I The communion service followed, and the King moved to King Edward's Chair to be anointed. Four Knights of the Garter, in resplendent robes, held over King George a rich pall of cloth of gold.' These were the Marquess of Londonderry, the Earls of Lytton and Stanhope,, and the Duke of Abercorn.. Destiny appeared to place'a finger on her lip, and the whole congregation froze into stillness as, taking the spoon containing holy oil which the Dean of Westminster had filled from the Ampulla, the Archbishop of Canterbury anointed the King in the form of a cross on palms, breast, and the crown of his head.

The King was next presented with his Spurs and Sword of State nvith the appropriate ceremony. His Majesty was invested with the Armill and Royal Robe, and presented with the Orb, and the King'g Ring was placed on the fourth finger of his Majesty's right hand.

i The Moment of Crowning: The ceremony proceeded without a hitch, and at length the Archbishop, taking the Crown from.' the altar and assisted by other bishops, placed it upon the King's head. The glow of exaltation in every breast translated itself into repeated joyous shouts of "God Save the King." The human grove burst, as it were, into branches and blossomed as the Peers and Kings of Arms raised their hands and donned their coronets, while trumpets pealed and great guns thundered from the Tower of London in sign that George the Sixth was sealed and crowned King of England.