THOMAS HARDY’S BURIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20310, 19 January 1928, Page 9

THOMAS HARDY’S BURIAL

ABSENCE OF ROYALTY. THE POSITION EXPLAINED. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, January 17. The Evening Standard, referring to Mr Arnold Bennett’s criticism, understands that the King and the Prince of Wales never attend any funeral except that of a relative, in accordance with custom which has lasted for upwards of a century, but both attend memorial services to distinguished persons.—A. and N.Z. Cable. A previous message stated that Mr Arnold Bennett, in a letter to the Daily Express, pointed out with regret and respect that not a single member of the Royal Family was present at Thomas Hardy’s funeral. “ One of the main functions of royalty is to represent and symbolise the feeling of the country. As a rule the function is admirably fulfilled, but the King’s message to the widow, though a suitable and sympathetic gesture, was not enough. Hardy was a citizen of the highest consequence. If it had been a military funeral of similar importance half the male royalties would have attended as a matter of course.”