BRILLIANT SCENE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22622, 27 April 1948, Page 5

BRILLIANT SCENE

ROYAL PROCESSION CHEERING THOUSANDS DRIVE TO ST. PAUL'S t N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) LONDON. April 26 Their Majesties today made gay for a few hours the still drab face of London. Flags of all nations fiew on buildings from the Admiralty Arch to Ludgate Hill, hiding many war scars. Window boxes of flowers made vivid colour splashes against the grey etone of ancient buildings. The brilliant colouring and trappings of the Brigade of Guards were donned for the occasion—for most guardsmen on parade for the first timeThe morning was bright and crisp with a warming sun —a contrast to the dull threatening day of their Westminster Abbey wedding a quarter of a century ago. From dawn people poured into London. Hours before the procession started from Buckingham Palace for St. Pauls at 10 a.m. the whole route was thronged, but the crowd was not as large as expected, probably because It was not a public holiday. Heartfelt Reception in Mall The route followed was along the Mall, through the Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square, thence down the Strand, along Fleet street and Ludgate Hill to the great west door of St. Paul’s. At Buckingham Palace crowds awaited the appearance of Their Majesties from early morning. Higher up the Mall a noisy heartfelt reception was given to Queen Mary as she left Marlborough House with the Princess Royal and her two sons in a motor car, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. A few minutes later Their Majesties and Princess Margaret drove from the Palace in a State landau drawn by six Windsor Greys with two outriders. Flanking them was the Sovereign’s escort of Household Cavalry in blue and scarlet, carrying sabres. Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh followed in a landau drawn by four bays. After them two horsedrawn landaus carried Their Majesties and Princess Elizabeth’s suites. Queen’s Dress The King wore an Admiral's uniform and the Queen wore a full-length dress of silver crepe with a sweeping train cut on classic lines. Delicate embroidery in silver thread and sparkling grey crystals decorated the bodice, sleeves and the short cape on the same grey crepe. A feather boa of ostrich fronds was tinted from pale grey to aouamarine blue to tone with the blue ribbon of the Order of the Garter. Th"h small hat of swathed tulle was lined under the brim with velvet, also in soft blue to tone with the ribbonPrincess Elizabeth wore a gown of thick ribbed silk of delicate China blue. A panel of white china beads embroidered the high-necked fitted bodice from throat to waistline. The skirt was full, long and flowing, her hat pale blue and she wore a fox cape. Princess Margaret was in a gown of forget-me-not blue cros - grain silk with little jacket highly-waisted and buttoned with a short flared basque over an ankle-length skirt, a small Dolly Varden hat of blue flowers, and matching handbag clustered with blue flowers. Royal Salute Fired As the Royal Party left the Palace, Royal salutes'of 41 guns were fired id Hyde Park and at the Tower of London. The Brigade of Guards lined the Mall to Admiralty Arch. Behind them was what seemed to be all London —a never still, ever cheering throng waving flags and handkerchiefs. Their Majesties saluted and waved almost continuously. The King was serious but the Queen was obviously enjoying every moment of this happiness and clamorous homage. Princess Margaret, a small solemn figure, faced her parents. The cheers for Their Majesties merged into further cheers for Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh a few seconds later. Within the City of London precincts, the route was lined by Navy marines and the R.A.F. At the Temple Bar the traditional ofTer of the city sword was made by the Lord Mayor, Sir Frederick Wells, to the King in a brief halt. Picturesque Uniforms At St. Paul’s, lining the steps at the west end, were Yeomen warders from the Tower of London in picturesque uniform and carrying halberds. In the churchyard was the company of pikemen of the Honourable Artillery Company. As Their Majesties reached the cathedral’s great west door, trumpeters of the Household Cavalry sounded the fanfare. Buckingham Palace was early astir. The first congratulations to the King and Queen came from Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, who are staying at the Palace. Telegrams and letters addressed to Their Majesties poured into the Palace’s post office in hundreds. The first post today alone brought 1000 letters.