A NEW KING

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 24 February 1934, Page 1

A NEW KING

LEOPOLD 111. TAKES OATH iOF ALLEGIANCE. Belgians Cheer Monarch. BELLS PEAL JOYOUSLY AND GUNS ROAR SALUTE. United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received February 24, 11.5 a.m.) BRUSSELS, February 23. With all the city’s bells pealing joyously and a salute of 101 guns booming, King Leopold 111, mounted on a white charger, and dressed in a General’s uniform, rode from Laeken Palace to Parliament House with a cavalry escort.

Outside the palace the General Staff of the army presented their homage and then the famous Burgomaster Max, of the Municipal Council, saluted his Majesty. The entire route was packed with cheering crowds. In the Chamber

of Deputies whither the Queen preceded t him, King Leopold from the throne took the oath of allegiance in a firm, strong voice, first in French and then in Flemish. He read a brief address, concluding: “I devote myself entirely to Belgium. The Queen will assist me with all her heart.” This evoked an outburst of cheering and cries of “ Long live the King ” from the audience, which included the Prince of Wales and other visiting royalties, members of the two Chambers, magistrates, councillors and officials. Immediately the brief ceremony was over their Majesties drove back to Laeken Palace through enthusiastic crowds. PRINCE OF WALES RETURNS. British Official Wireless. (Received February 24, noon ) RUGBY, February 23. The Prince of Wales left Brussels by train to-day on his return journey to England. WREATH ON MEMORIAL. P*r Press association. February 24. M. Armand Nihotte,^ } Consul-General for Belgium, placed a wreath decorated with the Belgian colours, on the Wellington War Memorial. An attached card bore the following inscription :—ln grateful remembrance .of my comrades in arms of the Xe\w> Zealand Expeditionary Force, who 'U Belgian soil, and by their sacr£.te helped our deeply lamented and beloved King Albert to free Belgium. ’