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New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10719, 13 October 1920, Page 5

HOME AGAIN

PRINCE'S LONDON WELCOME

ROUSING RECEPTION BY GREAT CROWDS.

By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.SS. Cable Association LONDON, October 11. Mr J. Sandes, telegraphing from Portsmouth, says the Renown left her moorings at 8 o'clock and steamed up Portsmouth harbour in the cold, grey morning. But, as has happened bo frequently during the tour, the sun shone out brightly when the moment arrived for the people to greet' the Prince. Ho stood on the bridge as the Renown came up the ancient harbour, past Nelson's Victory, which thundered a. welcome from her guns, and many modern warships, all gaily dressed with flags. The R-enown flew her immensely long paying-ofi pennant, the Royal Standard, and tie Roar-Admiral's flag. As she arrived with slow and stately ease ' at the same jetty from which she started on her roemorahle voyage seven months ago, high military and naval chiefs waited on the scarlet-carpeted jetty, with the Mayor and aldermen of Portsmouth in blue and scarlet robes of mediaeval magnificence, attended by the ■■> Beadle and other functionaries. These touches of traditional ceremonial, and the fact that the populace was rigorously kept away from the landing place by barriers and the police, emphasised the difference between the English and Australasian welcomes. An enormous crowd had gathered on Portsmouth Hard, but was not allowed to come within sight of the Prince. Before leaving the Renown, the Pffnce shook hands with all the officers, who were formed up ceremonially, on the deck, and received the Marquis of Milfordhaven, Lord Mountbatten's father. The Prince landed with his staff, inspected the guards of honour from the King's Rifles and H.M.S. Exqellent whose bands played "Nancy Lee" and "Home, Sweet Home." He received a Mayoral address of welcome home, and the congratulations of the command-ants-of the naval and military air force at Portsmouth. He then boarded a train, and stood at tie open door as it moved off. while the officers and men. of the Renown gave iihree rousing cheers. A faint welcome from the distant crowd indicated that they would have added to the cheorful din if only they had been allowed to approach the Royal presence. REMARKABLE SCENES. London prepared a roueing reception for the Prince. The streets were unofficially decorated, and people offered high prices for windows along the route. The streets were lined by thousands of special constables. All the newspapers published congratulatory leaders, with many pictures of incidents in Australia and New Zealand.

Victoria Station -was gaily beflagged, and a distinguished assemblage .was admitted to the platform, including the Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur, Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, and other Cabinet Ministers, Lord Beatty, General Trencbard, the Bishop of London, the Lord Mayor, the Lord Chief Justice, Mr Andrew Fisher. Sir James Allen, and the Agents-General. Queen Alexandra arrived at 12J0, .followed five minutes later by the King, wearing an admiral's uniform, the Queen, Princesses Victoria and Mary. As the train steamed in to the platform, the Prince of Wales, in a naval uniform, stood looking from a window, his face flushed 'with boyish excitement at his home-coming. The King and Queen entered the train, and a few moments later the Prince emerged, and kissed Queen Alexandra, while, the band played "God Bless the Prince of Wales.'' The Prince, followed by his brothers, then shook hands with those on the platform. A little later the assemblage faced tho photographers,\ and as the Royal carriages drew tip, Mr Andrew I Fisher called for three cheers, which ■were heartily given. Preceded by outriders in scarlet, the splendid procession moved off. the Prince in the first carriage, and the King and Queen in the next. A few moments later the cheers from tho huge crowd outside marked the opening ol a triumphal procession through the principal thoroughfares. London's millions evinced unfeigned delight as the procession traversed the streets en route to Buckingham Palace, and there were cheers along the whole route, punctuated with "coo-ees." Tho weather was glorious, and reminiscent of a mild Australian summer day. IMPERIAL SPIRIT. UNITY AND STRENGTH OF SENTIMENT. LONDON, October 11. The Prince of Wales, replying to tho Mayoral address at" Portsmouth, said that although British institutions wero not in the same state of development in all the British lands he 'had visited, there was everywhere, without exception, the same spirit. He returned deeply touched and impressed by tho unity' and strength of senhimont which bound nil parts of His Majesty's Dominions to the CTown, making the fubur© of the British Empire secure. AN INTERESTING BANQUET. (Received October 12, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON. October 12. There was a family dinner at Buckingham Palace in honour of the Prince of Wales last night. Their Majesties to-day will give a banquet similar to that after the Canadian tour, at which Ministers and colonial guests will be present, when tho Windsor gold plate will ho used. THE DOMINIONS 1 LUNCHEON. (Received October 12, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, October 12.' The Prince of Wales has fixed Octoher 19fch for the luncheon at Australia HousG to be given hv the representatives of the British Dominions.