THEIR MAJESTIES IN AMERICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 June 1939, Page 10

THEIR MAJESTIES IN AMERICA

| OVF OF MOST SYMBOLIC ACTS OF TOIR p ACTIVITIES OK CAMERAMEN j fF-P-A.—B.v Electric Telegraph—Copyright] || (Received 10th June, 1.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, 9th June. King George VI to-day showed how ompletely the past had been forgotten when he laid a wreath on the tomb of a - r rebel British Army officer whom his C, great-great-grandfather would have hanged. The visit to the Washington j tombs was one of the most symbolic ' acts of the tour and created a powerful .mpression on the millions of Americans who revere George Washington as the father of their country. There was a solemn hush as the King ;r gravely approached the simple brick iy mausoleum, entered through the iron r grille gates and dropped a wreath. Washington was buried on his Mount i Vernon estate overlooking the Potomac y river where he lived the life of an Eng- 1 S' lish squire. The estate is now a 11ai. tional shrine, perfectly preserved. Its jr.. English box hedges are carefully trim- i jb rr.ed and its gardens are filled with i R eighteenth century English cottage gar- , den flowers. During the simple ceremony the j Queen stood with the President and Mrs Roosevelt under the shade of an Eng- 1 lish yew tree a few feet from the tomb. This yew was planted by the Prince of! Wales in 1919. and replaced the one 1 planted by King Edward VII in 1860. HOUR SPENT AT MOUNT VERNON Their Majesties spent an hour at Mount Vernon, which was reached by river aboard the Presidential yacht Potomac. The King was accorded full naval honours. The smart steel-grey vc ! flew the Royal Standard from the j foremast and the King was piped I aboard. Their Majesties appeared grateful for | •he relief from the sweltering heat pro- j vided by the spreading trees in the ! grounds. They saw everything, even Washington's vegetable garden. They also went through the mansion. The Queen was delighted with its furnishings. “How lovely! Why this is one of ’he most beautiful ?ooms I have ever phi." she said when they entered Mari iia Washington's drawing room. The Queen was also intrigued by the Id family kitchen, which is a separate • milding. Sixty press photographers had a field j ay. Their Majesties’ relaxed friendli- : iess seemed catching; regulations were forgotten and they abandoned their roped off portions and without any of- ! final interference followed Their Ma- * msties everywhere. The Queen seemed ' vastly amused as every shrub she approached blossomed with cameras. ! Given an inch American cameramen will take a mile. Finally Their Majesties •vere in grave danger of tripping over 'he perspiring reapers of the finest crop >•' closc-ups Royalty has ever provided.