KING'S FUNERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 13

KING'S FUNERAL

BELGRADE MOURNS IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL GRIEF OF WIDOWED QUEEN COLLAPSE AFTER ORDEAL By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright BELGRADE, Oct. 18 The funeral procession of the late King Alexander traversed the streets of Belgrade to-day, without the slightest hitch or incident, past enormous crowds, who had been waiting all night. There was an impressive, simple service in the cathedral, at which the boy King Peter was dressed in Scout's uniform, and sat on a black-draped throne, with his legs dangling, his face pale and serious. His mother, Queen Marie, and Prince Paul and other Royal personages sat close behind. Soldiers drew the coffin in the procession from the cathedral on a guncarriage, preceded by a simple wooden cross. King Peter and his mother following, while French, Czech, Rumanian and Yugoslav aeroplanes flew only a few feet above the houses and dipped in salute. As the coffin was drawn past the crowds there were shrill cries of anguish, and many men and women threw themselves on their knees and bowed their heads to the ground. On arrival at the station, all the troops marched past the coffin, while King Peter, his mother and the Queen of Rumania, his grandmother, stood alongside. Guards officers carried the coffin to a waiting room, where King Carol, Prince George, Duke of Kent, Prince Cyril of Bulgaria and the Duke of Spoleto saluted. Then it was placed on a railway coach draped in black, with two white crosses. The Royal mourners and chiefs of the foreign delegations entered the next coach, and the train slowly moved off. The engine was draped entirely in black,, and inscribed on the front were the late King's last words: "Guard Yugoslavia." Amid intensely moving scenes peasant winners of' the Yugoslav equivalent of the Victoria Cross bore King Alexander's coffin to the marble church in Topola. Queen Marie and King Peter led the mourners in the procession. They showed splendid fortitude until the coffin was being lowered to the grave. Then both broke down, while others were also unable to restrain their emotions.

King Alexander's servants and retainers beat their breasts and wailed until the crypt echoed with their cries. Queen Marie collapsed and had to be supported from the church by Prince Paul.

BRITISH TRIBUTE memorial servioe HIS MAJESTY REPRESENTED British Wireless RUGBY, Oot. 18 Flags were flown at half-mast over public and private buildings in London to-day on the occasion of the funeral of the late King Alexander in Belgrade. A memorial service was held in London, at which King George was represented by the Prince of Wales. The Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, and several other Ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps were present. PHOTOGRAPHER EJECTED black-barrelled camera MISTAKEN FOR A PISTOL LONDON. Oct. 18 A curious incident occurred at the memorial service held for the late King Alexander in the Russian Church in Buckingham Palace Road, London. While a dirge for the dead was being sung a photographer pointed a blackbarrelled camera at the Prince of Wales, who was the central figure among the mourners in the church. Officials, fearing that the apparatus was a pistol, hurriedly rushed forward, swung the photographer round and hustled him out of the church.