KING'S CORONATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22372, 19 March 1936, Page 8

KING'S CORONATION

fitting royal crown CEREMONY ARRANGEMENTS FAMOUS COURT OF CLAIMS [from our own correspondent] LONDOX, Feb. 22 The measurements of King Edward VIII. 's head have already been taken, so that the size of the Crown may bo adjusted, if necessary. An early proclamation of the exact date of the Coronation is expected, but the general belief is that it is to be in June, 1937. It is pointed out that the previous three ceremonies have all been arranged for June, although that of Edward VII. was postponed until August. A Thursday has been chosen on five previous occasions.

There are important matters to be arranged, among them the setting up of the famous Court of Claims. This Court, -which dates back almost to the Norman Conquest, consists of a tribunal of Privy Councillors and Judges, presided over by the Lord Chancellor, who will hear many petitions from hereditary office-holders. Lords and commoners alike claim special hereditary permission to attend the ceremony or perform some special duty for their Sovereign. Often more than one person claims the same office, and barristers have been briefed to plead their cases before this Court. Ancient Rights For example, at Edward Vll.'s coronation, the Duke of Newcastle and the Earl of Shrewsbury each claimed the right to provide a glove for the King's right hand. The Duke eventually prevailed. The present 22-year-old Earl of Shrewsbury can, however, claim the right to carry a white wand as a symbol of his office of Lord High Steward of Ireland. Other claims include one for tasting the King's -wine before he drinks it, for fear of poison; for the posts of Chief Larderer, Master of the Silver Scullery, or for the picturesque 'title of King's Champion, who, at the Coronation banquet, challenges to mortal combat any person who might declare that the King is not the rightful ruler. The Barons of the Cinque Ports will probably again succeed in their claim to carry a canopy over the King. The archaic claims of the King's Herbstrewer and Master Falconer stand small chance of prevailing.

Possibility of Broadcast Next year, the actual ceremony of the Coronation is likely tg be broadcast for the first time. What will the Coronation ceremony and the weeks of preparation cost? King George's coronation cost £245,000, but £130,000 of that sum was allowed for entertaining foreign kings and princes. Though the figure next year will almost certainly be smaller, there will probably be an increase in the allowances of the Office of. Works and for naval, military and police duties. The 2,000,000 people who reputedly lined the route for King George's funeral have given the authorities a new lesson in controlling huge crowds. Scotland Yard will take every precaution to prevent a repetition of the high casualty iist of'the King's funeral last month.