EMPIRE DAY IN LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 23208, 25 May 1937, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY IN LONDON

King And Queen Go To St. Paul’s DOMINION DELEGATES AT SERVICE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 25, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 24. Empire Day was favoured with brilliant sunshine which enabled witnesses of the Royal visit to St. Paul’s to watch in perfect comfort. The customary observances were held elsewhere. A congregation of 4000, including 20 members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin), members of Cabinet and many Dominion representatives attended the Cathedral service. Four mounted constables preceded at a canter the Royal carriage drawn by four greys, v/hich were ridden by two postilions, with scarlet-clad outriders at back and front. The King wore morning dress and the Queen was in lilac blue with a fur collar. The Lord Mayor of London (Sir George Broadbridge) greeted their Majesties at the Cathedral steps as. the bells spread their joyous sound, The head Grecian scholar presented an illuminated address to the King. The service began at noon and lasted an hour; it was fully choral. The service at St. Paul’s is also regarded as a service of thanksgiving for the Coronation of the King and Queen. In their ’ procession down St. Paul’s where they were received by the Bishop of London, the Dean % and Chaplain, the King and Queen were preceded by the Lord Mayor bearing the City’s pearl sword. An interesting feature of the service was that the first lesson was read by the Prime Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) and the second by the Moderator of the Federal Council of the Evangelical Free Church. The Archbishop of York preached the sermon.