ROYAL VISITORS TO ENGLAND

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 8

ROYAL VISITORS TO ENGLAND

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, June 30. Two years ago the visit of members of the Japanese Royal Family would have aroused curiosity in the Old Country, but scarcely enthusiasm. The web come London extended to Prince and Princess Arisugawa on their somewhat belated arrival at Victoria Station was, however decidedly enonusiastic, though the’gathering of metropolitans was considerably smaller than it would have been had not the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway officials kept their own counsel till the last hour as to which ofr their London termini the distinguished couple would arrive. Most people concluded it would be Charing Cross, forgetting apparently that Victoria affords a much larger area for guards of honour to manoeuvre in than the former station, and is nearer by far to Buckingham Palace. Still, there was a goodly muster of Londoners at Victoria to take stock of Japans diminutive Prince and his charming spouse, and to give them a real hearty welcome. A*nd there were hundreds of westernised Japs in the station and outside, all the males

immaculate in glossy top-hat and creaseless frock coat, highly starched linen, and mirror-like patent boots; also their sisters, wives, cousins, and aunts resplendent in Bond street “confections” of the most up-to-date character. The well-to-do Jap knows how to dress well in the Western style, and does it any day and every day. To meet our distinguished guests the Price of Wales and the Duke of Connaught were at the station. Neither are big men, but alongside Prince Arisugawa they looked positive giants. In his Admiral’s uniform, which seems to have been closely modelled on the lines of the British, the Prince, however, looked dignified. His Princess, who is no doubt a beauty according to the Japanese standard in such matters, was dressed very becomingly in an elaborate gown of dark blue with much lace about it, and a hat which suggested Paris rather than Tokio. She carried a large bouquet of Mareohal Niel and pink roses, which had been sent to Dover for her by Queen Alexandra. Quite a feature of the Royal reception was the presentation of a bouquet to the Princess by the wife of the Japanese ConsulGeneral. The bearer of the tribute approached the recipient with a series of profund obeisance®, each a little more exaggerated than its predecessor, till the spectators began to think Mrs. ConsulGeneral would end up by making the presentation on “all fours.” Japanese Court etiquette, however, did not involve such an exhibition, much, I fancy, to the disappointment of some of those present.

Greetings over, the Prince and Princess were escorted to a semi-State landau, and with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Connaught to bear them company, drove off amid hearty cheers to Buckingham Palace, attended by a detachment of Life Guards, resplendent in scarlet and nolished steel.

After taking tea with the King and Queen at the Palace, they were driven to York House, their headquarters during their stay in England. Our latest Royal visitors are having quite an easy time of it compared with some of their predecessors, who were the" victims of “functions” from the time of uprising till midnight and past. Still, they get through a good deal in the course of each day, though up to the present they have not taken part in any noteworthy event.