LONDON LAST NIGHT

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

LONDON LAST NIGHT

CLIMAX TO UNFORGETTABLE DAY

SINGING IN THE RAIN

United Press Assnt-intlon —By Klectrlc Tel»eranh—CopyrlghL

(Received May 13, 1.20 p.m.)

LONDON, May 12.

If Coronation Day was unforgettable in London Coronation night was its perfect and tremendous climax. Dancers made merry in the festooned streets and the city was one vast whirl of gaiety, an endless tumult of singing and cheering thousands, soaked to the skin by heavy rain. There was no lessening of the dense throng at Buckingham Palace, and amid tumultuous cheers the King and Queen appeared on the balcony of the floodlit palace at 9 p.m. and waved their, hands in acknowledgment. -

The King wore evening dress and the Queen an evening gown of white silver with a\ cloak of white fox fur. . '

After this appearance a big proportion of the crowd was satisfied and drifted off, but their places were immediately taken by new arrivals who clamoured for the. King. Their patience was.rewarded at 10.30 p.m., when the King and Queen reappeared and stood in the rain for several minutes acknowledging the cheers. Then they withdrew.

Although it was believed that, their Majesties had retired, and despite the driving rain, the crowd outside the Palace was undiminished. Their steadfastness was ' rewarded at 11.30 p.m., when the King and Queen again appeared and stood on the balcony for three or four minutes, waving a response to volleys and cheers. Finally the King led the Queen inside. Shortly • afterwards loudspeakers announced that they had retired, and the Palace lights were switched off. It was officially announced that the King and Queen were not unduly tired by their strenuous day, although natur ally they were fatigued

The rain continued, after midnight, but there was little abatement of the revelry. Groups of men and girls arm in arm, sometimes extending right across the street, sang gaily through the rain.