SURPRISE DRIVE THROUGH LONDON

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 433, 14 May 1937, Page 5

SURPRISE DRIVE THROUGH LONDON

CROWD BREAK THROUGH POLICE CORDON CHEERING PEOPLE SURROUND ROYAL CAR Press Association —Copyright. Received May 14, 10.50 a.m. London, May 13. Their Majesties went for a surprise drive this afternoon in a closed limousine through North London, over a route 14| mile* long. ■ The crowds outside the Palace were most excited when their Majesties appeared. The car had to slow down as cheer ing people rushed forward. There were also amazing scenes in the Clerkenwell Road, where the crowd burst through the police cordon and surrounded the car. The King wore morning dress, and the Queen a light fawn two-piece dress, with a fur to match. The Royal car was preceded by a police car, and followed by police officers in a motor lorry, as a precaution against the pressure. The weather was dull and chilly. The car several times was almost brought to a standstill, and many in the crowd lost their hats. The Queen seemed apprehensive for the children in the crush. The car took 20 minutes to traverse one short' street. Their Majesties returned to the Palace at 2.40 p.m., after a two hours’ drive. The Abbey will be open to the public until June 5, thus enabling an inspection of the Thrones on the payment of a small charge.

DEEP GOODWILL AMERICA AND BRITISH MONARCH Ceremony Well Covered Press Association —Copyright. London, May 13. A German impression of the Coronation cenmw given by a cj respondent of the ATgunciiio Zci'.atg, states: — "A fore'gns- who witnessed tn. jpectacle fell tea: more than merv traditional formalities were observed, that a new pact betw -vn the King and the paope was nade, and sinr’itaneously a new pact be'wecn the peoples of tire British Empire Never before did these nrli-'i-as partitipate so directly la a Coronation ceremony as in thle age of broadcasting, and when the Archbishop of Canterbury placed the crown on the King's head it was ac though the hands of millions of British subject.’ throughout the world held it. “The beauty of the proeess on into the Abbey was virtually overwhelming and nora ;lia:i on« spectator watched it with tears in his eyeti” A vividly written description of the Abbey service by Lady Oxford says: “A lovely little scene wias enacted shortly before their Majesties enter ed. The Princess Royal entered leading by the hand the two little Princesses, both wearing short purple trains trimmed with ermine over little white frocks and wjiite shoes io match. I could bear the whisper all round, ‘How sweet they look.’ “They sat down very quietly and well-behaved to await the arrival of their grandmother. Queen Mary arrived a truly regal figure. She cropped and, taking each Princess by the hand, walked up the steps of the Royal Box overlooking the altar and so passed from our sight. “The King’s marvellous gravity, h’s dignity and simplicity, and his movements touched everyone. I was surprised to notice when the Royal couple walked up the steps to the two chairs of State that the Queen took a seat at least two steps' lower than the King’s. I do not know why this difference is made. We think of some Oriental rites where the woman takes a lower place than the man. The Queen made a lovely figure—so quiet and self-possessed." “We have a King and a Queen worth the homage, respect, loyalty and love,’’ states a writer in the Daily Telegraph.. “As they acknowledged yesterday the crowd’s salutations they seemed to return smile for tmile and blessing for blessing. Their personial devotion one to another as they rode side by side war delightful to witness and as both shared the day’s triumph so each for the other halved its burden.

STABILITY OF EMPIRE “PRODIGIOUS RALLY” French Newspaper Comment Press Association—Copyright. (Received 11.5 a.m.) Paris, May 13. The morning papers see in the Coronation of King George and Queen Elizabeth a new manifestation of the unity and stability of 'the British. Empire. Petit Journal says: “The spiritual power of the British Monarchy remains intact.” L’Ami du Peuple says.: “Those who speculated on the weakness of the British Empire are astonished at i'.s prodigious rally.” “CORONATION TOOK PLACE” Italian Newspapers’ Comment Press Association—Copyright. Rome, May 13. The Italian newspapers published only the official Stefani Agency’s tenword communique, “the Coronation of King George of England; took place this morning.”