LONDON PREPARES FOR ROYAL BIRTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 7

LONDON PREPARES FOR ROYAL BIRTH

N.Z.P.A.—Copyright. LONDON, Oct. 14.

Jubilant scenes rivalling those of Princess Elizabeth’s wed'ding last November are expected outside Buckingham Palace “ some time in November ” at the announcement of the. birth of her baby. Already the police are making plans for coping with the huge crowds which will inevitably demand the appearance on the palace balcony of the whole Royal Family. The 8.8. C. plans to broadcast a salute of guns heralding the birth, the official statement, and any subsequent bulletins about progress of the mother and child. The Home Secretary, Mr Chuter Edo. will travel by car to the palace when summoned there shortly before the baby’s birth. Assembled about the child’s cot will be the Duke of Edinburgh, the King and Queen, doctors, and nurses. Mr Chuter Ede will make out the birth certificate and notify the Home Office to issue an official statement and send a telegram to the Lord Mayor. Sir George Aylwen, who will order the great bells of St. Paul’s to be rung. These are rung only for a royal birth or death. The baby will be registered with the local registrar like any other child within six weeks of birth. When it is baptised the child will be dressed in a royal christening robe of old lace, which has been used for the baptism of most of Queen Victoria’s descendants. According to custom, water from the River Jordan will be sprinkled on • its brow by the Archbishop of York. .