ROYALTY IN THE TRENCHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROYALTY IN THE TRENCHES

BELGIUM'S KING AND QUEEN.

VISIT TO FRENCH FRONT.

The King and Queen of the Belgians have just paid a visit to the French front in Belgian Flanders. King Albert was in a general's uniform of khaki, and Queen Elizabeth looked charming in a smart tailor-made costume of the same hue. in stead of the usual toque, she wore a Bel gian soldier's steel helmet to protect her from stray bullets for this was no mere promenade or courtesy visit.

Crossing the Yscr 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 whispers. After examining various front-line positions, the King and Queen reviewed infantry and sailors, who were delighted to see the royal couple, and especially the Queen, displaying on her jacket 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 up before her. Some of them, who had been asleep in their dug-outs, asked for time to give themselves a wash and brushup, 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 send their families signed copies of the photos she had just taken. One man, bolder than the others, 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 of his fountain pen. Tt was his turn to appear confused, for he had no such article; but the soldier produced a grubby notebook and pencil, and Queen Elizabeth to his great joy signed her name. Then, handing the book to her husband. Rhe said Now, you must sign, too." The monarch did so, and the soldier thus secured two royal autographs.