ROYALTY IN THE TRENCHES

North Otago Times, Volume CIII, Issue 13651, 19 August 1916, Page 3

ROYALTY IN THE TRENCHES

BELGIUM'S KING AND QUEEN. V.ISIT TO FRENCH FRONT. • .The Kingpin! Queen of the Belgians have just paid a visit to' the French "• front-iu Belgian Flanders.-King-Albert ' was in a general's uniform of khaki, , and Queen Elizabeth-looked charmingin a smart tailor-made costume of'the "same hue,' Instead of the usual toque,.<' she wore a Belgian soldier's steel helmet to protect her from stray bullets; for this was no mere promenade or : courtesy visit.; ',■' Crossing the Yser by' the Joffre Bridge, the royal party .went'as far as an advanced post, where they were within a few yards of: the German trenches and'had to speak in whjsperg.; After examining various front-line sitions, ' the King and Queen reviewed' infantry and sailors who were delighted to'see.the royal couple, and'especially- - the Queen, displaying the Croix de Guerre awarded her by President Poincare for her bravery at the front. , ;.While,in one ,of the second-line trenches, the Queen expressed a desire' to photograph the soldiers, and they were ranged updjefore her. Some of them, who had been asleep in their dugouts asked for time to give, themselves'*' wash and a brush-up, but Her Majesty said "No, no, you look much more picturesque as you-are,"'-and they were taken as they stood. '■..'.' ■•• ■ - ■ -. ;' The Queen' chatted with the soldiers for a few minutes and promised to semi their families! signed copies of the photos she had just taken. One man, bolder,than the other's, asked the Queen for her signature. A French general standing by looked* very shocked, but .Her Majesty said "Certainly," and, turning to the general, asked for the loan v of his. fountain pen.. It was his turn to appear confused, for he had no such article; but the soldier produced a grubby note-book and l , pencil, and Queen Elizabeth to Jiis great joy signed her name.., Then,• handing the book to her husband, she said: "Now you must sign, too." The monarch did so, and the soldier thus secured two royal autographs. ':