ROYAL VISITOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23353, 19 November 1937, Page 9

ROYAL VISITOR

KING LEOPOLD IN LONDON A ROUND OF ENGAGEMENTS BUILDINGS HUNG WITH BUNTING (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Nov. 17. Flags were flying at the mastheads all over London in honour of King Leopold’s visit, and the buildings were hung with bunting along the route which his Majesty followed on the drive from Buckingham Palace to the Guildhall, where an address was presented on behalf of the City of London. Before setting out for the Guildhall King Leopold had engagements at the Palace, where he was presented with the. gold medal of the Rdyal African Society by the Earl of Athlone and General Sir Reginald Wingate for distinguished service to Africa.

At the Guildhall, replying to a toast in his honour, proposed by the Lord Mayor, King Leopold said, “ To your city more than any other come the echoes of those anxieties to which the whole world is a prey. Political objectives are of concern only to certain sections of mankind, but the better ordering of economic life is of interest to mankind as a whole. We are faced with a world which is complicated by various national problems. The British Empire represents so important a part of the human race that it cannot help but realise more clearly than any other nation how closely the fate of mankind is bound up with its own. That is why your understanding of the great universal problems is so profound and why it is permissible to hope that Great Britain may play a prominent part in the search for a solution of major economic difficulties.”

To-night, at the Belgian Embassy, their Majesties were the guests of King Leopold, and later the royal visitor attended a State ball given at Buckingham Palace by their Majesties.

BRITAIN’S INSPIRATION KING LEOPOLD’S TRIBUTE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Nov. 17. King Leopold, acknowledging the toast proposed by King George at the State banquet at Buckingham Palace, said he was deeply touched by the reference made by King George to the close friendship between their dead fathers. “ The sorrows'that have befallen your family and mine, grievous as they are,” he said, “ have forged a further link of mutual sympathy and friendship between our royal houses, and through that between our two peoples. The British Empire, besides being the guardian of peace, can provide in other ways an inspiration and a fine example. Your age-long traditions, your devotion to liberty, which does not exclude respect for authority, the trust which you repose in the best men among you, your great families who serve the State from generation to generation, all these are examples from which peoples would do well to learn. Your constitutional system, the principles of which are to be found also in our own, has enabled the British people to enjoy an era of tranquillity and well-being, and yet at the same time make those social and political adjustments which the new age requires.” JAZZ BAND AT STATE BALL FIRST TIME IN HISTORY LONDON, Nov. 17. (Received Nov. 18, at 5.5 p.m.) Three kings danced to jazz band music at Buckingham Palace, where their Majesties honoured King Leopold at a Court ball. King George of Greece was among the thousand guests. For the first time in the history of court ceremonial, a jazz band was used instead of military bands and for the first time the King allowed men to wear evening dress instead of uniforms. The drab black set off more strongly the brilliant jewels and dresses worn by the many princesses and grand duchesses present. Their Majesties danced foxtrots, but numerous old waltzes were included.