AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 27

AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN

COMING VISIT TO ENGLAND. ORIENTAL MAGNIFICANCE. LONDON, March 10. ■When the Amir of Afghanistan and tha Queen arrive in London on Thursday, tha magnificance of their reception will rival any accorded a ruling monarch by the biitish nation. The whole kingdom wi’l be thrown open to them. Destroyers will escort them up the channel amid thunderous salvos from the coastal batteries. The Prince of Wales will personally greet them at Dover, and on their arrival m London they will be met by King George, Queen Mary, Mr - Baldwin, Sir Austen Chamberlain, and representatives of the army, navy, and air force at the resplendently decorated station. The Grenadier Guardsmen will form a guard of honour, and the royal procession will pass through troop-lined streets to Buckingham Palace. The Guards band, which for weeks have been practising the Afghanistan National Anthem, will be stationed at points en route. Their majesties will escort the visitors to Buckingham Palace, where they will occupy the Belgian suite —the principal "suite at the palace, reserved for visitors of importance. The seven principal apartments are completely shut off and have a separate entrance. A wonderful unmatched display of almost priceless treasures have been assembled in Oriental magnificance, specially from Windsor Castle. The visitors will live at the palace for three days, and for the succeeding 20 days will be guests of the nation. The special desire of the Government has been expressed to all responsible that nothing be left undone and that everyth-ng that British hospitality at its zenith affords shall be extended accordingly. When they leave the palace the party of 50 personages, including the Amir’s sister and her husband, the Queen’s father and sister, and personal attendants, will be housed in a suite at Claridge’s on a scale, on the instructions of the British Government, equal to the royal palace. There will be .12 exquisitely furnished drawing and reception rooms, a lovely boudoir for the Queen, retiring rooms for he ladies of her retinue, in addition to writing rooms, a librarv. and upwards of 50 elegant bedrooms, all sneciallv served with telephones. The whole will be laid m rich Oriental rugs, and will be aglow with Oriental lightings. * .