CEREMONY IN LONDON

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 42

CEREMONY IN LONDON

KING EDWARD VII

RETURN OF THE- ROYAL TO LONDON.

LONDON, January 23

The Marquis of Salisbury, Prime Minister, is in London summoning the Privy Council, the members of _ which will swear allegiance to the King to-day. Thereafter the College of Heralds will proclaim the new Sovereign St James’s Palace, whither the King will go in state to hold auuience, at which, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of the Anglean Church will be introduced, and the Judges will xrss hands. , _ , „ The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, will afterwards notify a period of general mourning. At 4 o’clock Parliament will swear allegiance to the King, and condole witu him upon the decease of his mother. It is understood that the King will bo crowned as Edward the Seventh. After the announcement of the Queen’s death all the city bells tolled, following the deep, strong, mournful note set by the great muffled bed of be. Paul’s. The bells of St. Martins, at Charing Cross, were also muffled, but were unmuffied to welcome the King, and a joyous peal then rang out. “The Times” states that the new King is endowed with .the most lovable and attractive qualities of bis great mother. He has a kind heart and quick appreciation of genuine worth. The nation may be happy in confidence that the King will follow in liis mot nor s footsteps according to both the spirit and the letter of the constitution. Moreover, the King adds perfect tact and wide knowledge of men and business to a method of prompt decision, punctuality and great capacity for work. LONDON, January 23. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Connaught and Prince Christian reached London at- one o’clock. The crowd quietly saluted the Prin@s as King, and he gravely bowing drove to Marlborough House. Later in the day he met the Privy Council at St. James’s Palace, Lord Mayor and Aldermen being in attendance. The Duke of Devonshire communicated to the Councillors an announcement of the Queen’s death and the succession of her son. LONDON, January 24. The proclamation of the King at St. James’s Palace will be made today. SYDNEY, January 24. The Earl of Hopetoun has forwarded bis personal condolences to the King. Similar messages have been forwarded from the Commonwealth and the State, and all the foreign consuls have communicated their regrets to the GovernorGeneral. The only effect the demise of the Crown will have on the institutions of the colony, is that members of Parliament and the Commonwealth Ministry are required to swear allegiance to the King. SYDNEY, January 24. Rear-Admiral Beaumont has received a cable message staling that the King was proclaimed to-day. All the flags on the fleet were hoisted txil sun-set, and the Permanent Artillery fired Royal salutes. The flags will be half-masted to-morrow and remain so till the evening of the interment. No official information has yet been received from the Imperial authorities with reference to the designation of the King. A Commonwealth “Gazette” issued tonight announces that the King was proclaimed at St. James’s Palace at two o’clock to-day.