PROCLAMATION SCENE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 38, 24 January 1936, Page 5

PROCLAMATION SCENE

Historic Pageantry In Streets Of London.

HERALDS AND TRUMPETERS. Press Association —Copyright. London, Jan. 22. “High and mighty Prince Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick | David is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our lawful rightful liege lord Edward VIII., by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, Ireland and the Dominions beyond the seas.” Thus King Edward's accession to the Throne was proclaimed by the Garter Principal King of Arms, Lord Wollaston, from the balcony of St. James' Palace amid all the traditional pageantry of heraldry. The sun shone with golden softness through a slight mist. It was a solemn moment. Not a sound came from the vast and quietly-dressed crowd. The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, the Garter King of Arms, heralds and pursuivants were magnificent in mediaeval uniforms embroidered in gold, the only colour in the gathering, the predominating note of which was black. Even the guardsmen were sombre figures in heavy greatcoats, the officers wearing black crepe. The regimental colours were draped in black. Just before 10 o’clock the guard of honour stationed directly in front of the palace was brought sharply to attention. Four heralds appeared on the balcony wearing huge black cocked hats trimmed with ermine. As the palace clock struck the hour the trumpeters sounded a double fanfare, and a great silence fell as the Garter King of Arms read the proclamation. Saluting guns boomed dully throughout the recital of the formal words inaugurating the new epoch in the Empire’s history. The trumpets again rang out when the Garter King of Arms concluded “God Save the King.” The troops were brought sharply to attention and the National Anthem was | played softly to the accompaniment of | the roll of black-draped drums. The colours were dipped in a solemn salute j to the King. The Garter King of Arms and heralds j proceeded in the Royal coaches to Char- i ing Cross along troop-lined streets with j an escort of Life Guards. It was an un- i familiar and impressive sight for Londoners. The Guardsmen wore black tunics and were mounted on coal-black j horses with black trappings. 1

At Charing Cross,

The procession halted at the monument at Charing Cross and the heralds sounded a fanfare. A herald stepped out of the coach with the proclamation in his hand. Few of the vast silent concourse were able to hear the words, though many could see his lips moving. A fanfare marked the conclusion. The herald stood hat in hand during the National Anthem before re-entering the coach. The procession then proceeded along the Strand to the city. Not even the new King can challenge the rights of the City of London, which are ever guarded jealously. When the procession reached Temple Bar the city’s dignitaries, headed by the Lord Mayor, assembled in the shadow of the Law Court* to challenge the King’s officers’ right to enter the city. The crowds who had waited since daybreak were rewarded by the rarely seen spectacle of a single red silken rope stretched across the street symbolising the city’s rights. A triple fanfare from tiie King’s trumpeters, answering a fanfare from the City’s trumpeters, recalled London’s struggles for freedom early in the nation's history. Biuemantle Pursuivant of Arms, Mr, R. P. Graham-Vivian, rode forward alone. “Who comes there,” challenged the City Marshal, and the Pursuivant replied with historic formula and was conducted to the Lord Mayor, to whom he delivered an Order-in-Council directing the reading of the proclamation, which the Lord Mayor read aloud, and then ordered the removal of the barrier. The procession moved to the corner of Chancery Lane, 50 yards within the city boundary, and there the proclamation was read with ceremony similar to that at Charing Cross. Vast Crowd. The crowd outside Charing Cross was one of the vastest seen. In the precincts of the city the air was so still and all was so silent that every word uttered by Clarenceux King of Arms, Mr. A. W, S. Cochrane, was distinctly audible. The demonstrativeness of the city contrasted with the reading of the proclamation elsewhere. Immediately following the National Anthem someone shouted, “King Edward VIII.” The Lord Mayor, seeing that the crowd desired to express its loyalty, took off his three-cornered hat and waved it above his head, crying “Three cheers for the King.” The dignified and scarlet-robed city fathers led an immense burst of cheering, which was taken up by densely packed crowds in the surrounding streets. The Lord Mayor and aldermen then formed a procession back to the Guildhall, closing another chapter in the city’s history.