THE KING OPENS PARLIAMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXV, Issue 76, 2 April 1901, Page 4

THE KING OPENS PARLIAMENT.

A SPLENDID STATE CEREMONY.

MAGNIFICENT SCENE IN THE

HOUSE OF LORDS.

The King opened the new session of Parliament on February 14th, with great ceremony. Such a pageant has nob been witnessed at "Westminster, rfjays the correspondent of the Argus, since the early days of Queen Victoria. The route from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords was kept by troops, and though the day was bitterly cold there were enormous crowds of spectators. THE STATE COACH. "forty years what is known as the coronation state coach was used for thoKhig and Queen.' The late Sovereign very rarely rode in it;' The back seat, in her time, was large and soft, like a small feather bed, and the vehicle hung upon huge straps, and oscillated most uncomfortably. A fortnight ago it was put into the hands of the coaehbuilders, who altered the seats, counteracted the oscillation, and re-gilt almost the whole of the carriage. It is a huge, ungainly vehicle, over 30ft long, and weighs more than four tons. It has one advantage. Tne occupants can be well seen by the spectators, for the sides and front are all thick plate-glass. The coach was built after a German or Flemish design by George 111., and was used at the three succeeding coronations. The panels are painted by Cypriani. As it passed along the route yesterday, drawn by eight cream-colored horses, in magnificent showy harness, it looked not unlike the Cinderella coach of fiction, and attracted almost as much attention as the Royal personages within it, ENTERING THE CHAMBER. The Royal procession was marshalled in the rooms behind the Peers' chamber. All being ready, it passed through the painted gallery, crowded with privileged spectators, and so into the Upper House. Pursuivants and heralds in their quaint, resplendent uniforms, or tabards, led the way, bowing to the throne as they passed before it, and ranged themselves on either side. After them came officers of the Household, the Marquis of Salisbury, a splendid figure, iv his robes of office, the Earl Marshal, and the Lord Chamberlain," who also grouped themselves near the steps of the throne. Next followed the Marquis of Londonderry, carrying, the Sword of State. This •duty usually devolves upon joke Prime Minister, and when the Queen opened Parliament in 1886 lie exercised his right. But, owing to Lord Salisbury's increasing years, the PostmasterGeneral acted for him. Behind Lord Londonderry the Duke of Devonshire, in his robes, carried (as President of the Council) a scarlet and gold cushion bearing the Imperial crown. Following him was the Marquis of Winchester (premier Marquis), with the Cap of Maintenance, on a short staff. It is the heraldic theory that crown and cap must nob be touched by any hands but those of the Sovereign. The crown is theinpst foistm'-ic of all oolonging tp the regalia, It contains a sapphire from the crown of Charles 11., another sapphire from the ring of Edward the Confessor, and iv front of the crown a large spinel ruby, the largest stone of all, worth £110,000. The composition of the crown includes 2783 diamonds, 277 pearls, 11 emeralds, 5 rubies, and 17 sapphires. The Cap of Maintenance (meaning defiance) is a long-peaked Tudor hat, with a rim of ermine. j Behind the State officials carrying those emblems came the King and Queen. The King was iv a FieldMarshal's scarlet uniform, and as he is not yet crowned, hp wore, or rather carried, a plumed cocked hat. His purple velvet train was .of great length and fulness, carried by two pages, and under his long ermine cape could be seen the blue sash of the Order of the Garter. The Queen was in a black crepe dress, and wore a similar train to the King's, edged with ermine, «?,lso borne by pages, She, had likewise a long black ve'l fastened to the hair with a very small diamond crown, and wore deep necklets of pearls and diamonds. The Sovereign and his consort walked hand in hand to the foot of the throne, jqpwing right aiid left, Before ascending the dais they both bowed to the throne. The two chairs were arranged, the King's slightly in advance of the Queen's, The princesses and members of the Kppl family, who HO, followed, the

Sovereign into the chamber, were grouped to the Kmg's right, and the officers of State to the left. It was noticed that as the King withdrew his hand from the Queen's when she ascended the dais, her Majesty stooped to kiss the tips of his fingers. THE ENTRY OF THE KING AND QUEEN. Another account of this part of the ceremony says : —His Majesty being robed, the doors of the Peers' Chamber were flung open at 2.30. The dim chamber was suddenly illuminated with a flood of electric light, and there was a hush as the Royal procession ap- ] peared. Slowly the pursuivants, heralds, and great officers of State filed past the throne, bowed to the Princesses, and took up their positions. The King wove a magnificent robe of rich crimson velvet, emblazoned with heavy gold lace, and lined throughout with Royal ermine, over a FieldMarshal's uniform, on which were worn the ribbon of the Order of the Garter and other' orders. He led the Queen by the hand to the throne on his leit. There was a buzz of admiration as the Royal pair sat down, evoked by the appearance of the Queen. She was, indeed, beautiful. Her black dress was almost obscured by her exquisite robes of State, and it was covered with diamonds ; her fcasoiri was begirt with the ribbon of the Garter, and on her head was the smaller jewelled crown. Both King and Queen might have performed this part for years. Each was a model of stately composure. Their Majesties were, of course, received by the whole assembly standing, but at a signal from the King they all became seated. Black Red was despatched to the Commons, and while he was away silence of the most intense kind prevailed in the House. Not a sound was heard till the tramp and noise of the Commons at the door broke the silence.