PEACE PAGEANTRY

Evening Star, Issue 25566, 20 August 1945, Page 5

PEACE PAGEANTRY

ROYALTY AT ST. PAUL’S

LONDON'S THANKSGIVING KING LEADS NATION IN PRAYER (Rec. 11.20 a.in.) LONDON, Aug. 19. The streets of London were lined with hundreds of thousands of people to-day when the Kin<j; and Queen drove from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul’s. The King, in a naval uniform, was accompanied by the Queen and Princesses in an open carriage. Then came other members of the ltoya.l Family, and in the third carriage the service chiefs. The escort, with drawn swords and on black chargers, although in khaki, represented a return to the pageantry of peace. The warmth of Londoners’ reception to the Royal Family reflected their relief and thanksgiving that the ordeals of war have ended. The King, saluting in response-to the cheers, and the Queen, with upraised gloved hand familiar to the majority of Londoners, were given a greeting in which affection was predominant. The Lord Mayor, with black and gold robes over Court dress, the aldermen and sheriffs in scarlet gowns and cocked hats, and members of the Commons and Council in blue gowns, met the Royal party at Temple Bar and handed over the city sword to the King. At St. Paul’s gold-coated trumpeters blew a clarion welcome that sounded above the cheering as the Royal party alighted. The King took his place under the great dome, facing the small war-time altar, and, kneeling there at the head of the congregation, led the nation in prayer. The Queen and Princesses knelt beside him. With them were other members of the Royal Family, the King of the Hellenes, the King and , Queen of Yugoslavia, and the Regent of Iraq. The cathedral was filled tvith members of the Houses of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and all ranks of the fighting services. Crowds outside joined in the service, which was broadcast by loud speakers. Tens of thousands cheered th'eir Majesties on the return to the Palace. There were special cheers for Mr Attlee and Mr Churchill and members of Cabinet, who followed their Majesties m closed cars.