DEATH OF KING GEORGE V.

Wairarapa Age, 23 January 1936, Page 5

DEATH OF KING GEORGE V.

NOBLE LIFE ENDS PEACEFULLY AT SANDRINGHAM

IN PRESENCE OF QUEEN & MEMBERS _ OF ROYAL FAMILY

LAST SCENES IN WONDERFUL REIGN.

EMPIRE STRICKEN WITH SORROW.

LONDON, January 21. His Majesty King George V. died at 11.55 p.m. yesterday. A bulletin issuued at 5.30 p.m. yesterday stated:— “The King’s condition shows diminishing strength.” The bulletin was signed by Sir Frederic Willans, Sir Stanley Hewett and Lord Dawson. Coming at the end of an anxious day, it created considerable alarm, as it was the most serious since January 17, and indicated the doctors’ fear that his Majesty’s reserve strength was being taxed. Early yesterday the doctors expressed the opinion that the King’s static condition might persist for several days, but the evening examination showed a slow weakening, which one in close touch with Court circles described as “a general slowing-up of the bodily machine.” His Majesty since last Friday had been fighting hard against encroaching weakness, but the bulletin indicated that he was losing ground. He was not suffering pain.

A bulletin issued at 9.30 p.m. stated: *‘The King’s life is moving peacefully towards its close.” The final official bulletin read as follows: “Death came peacefully to the King at 11.55 p.m. in the presence of her Majesty the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Kent.” The Queen, in his last moments, knelt at the King’s head, clasping his hand. The Archbishop of Canterbury knelt beside to murmur his whispered prayer which was hushed as the King breathed his last. As the King died, the Prince of Wales, heir to the greatest Throne and the greatest empire in the world, assumed a new dignity that was heightened by the bitter blow of his and his family’s loss.

EVENT PRESAGED.

EVENING BULLETIN GIVES WARNING. THOUSANDS WAIT AT PALACE IN RAIN. COURAGE OF THE QUEEN. LONDON, January 21. The “Daily MAH’’ says that not long after the Council of State had Mn created, to last only 12 hours, lapsed into a coma. Oxygen was administered to ease his laboured breathing, and injections given to aid his flagging heart, but, shortly before the critical bulletin, he was delirious, and called many times for the same white pony which he rode to the coverts last week when he caught the cold which caused his death. The bulletin with the solemn words, “The King’s life is moving peacefully toward its close," came almost as a death knell to the waiting nation after the restful sleep his Majesty enjoyed on the previous night. Reassuring news had been eagerly hoped for all day. The evening bulletin showing the shadow of approaching death revived the nation-wide anxieties. Thousands went to Buckingham Palace, despite incessant showers of- iey rain, to ascertain the latest news, departing with grief-stricken faces. The doctors, in the intervals between the bulletins, found that his Majesty had lost so much ground that they were forced to realise there was no longer any chance J of recovery. Further examination revealed that the King’s life was slowly passing. The sad news was immediately conveyed to the Queen and the members of the Royal Family, to the Duke of Connaught, wintering at Bath, who continually was in telephonic touch with Sandringham, and to the King’s - sister, Queen Maud of Norway, and also the Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, in London. Sandringham House was hushed into silence when the fateful bulletin was issued announcing that the King was dying. The Queen, her sons, and the Princess Royal dined later than usual, as they were expecting a report from the doctors, and assembled in a room near the bed-chamber to await the end, which they realised was not far distant. Five minutes before midnight, the tragic hours which had passed since 5.30 p.m. ended. The doctors, when they realised the end was only a matter of minutes, summoned the family to the death-bed. The Queen, whom the Prince of Wales had been comforting, and the Boyal ladies entered the room, followed by the Princes, and all stood, sad-eyed and grave, looking at the tired, frail figure of the King and watched him breathe his last. The Queen, whose self-control had enabled her to maintain calmness throughout the anxious days of trial, broke down and wept, and then turned to the Prince of Wales —the new King. Mother and son embraced affectionately, the Prince’s arm around his mother consolingly. King Edward turned sadly to his brothers and sister, and the Royal party moved out of the death chamber to an adjoining room to discuss what must now be done. It is said that King George's wish has been granted. He always hoped the last hours of his life would be spent at Sandringham, of which he loved the quiet peace of the spacious halls and rooms, gardens and parklands. Moreover, it is where Queen Alexandra and his brother, the Duke of Clarence, died, and hi# youngest child, Prince John, is buried in the village churchyard. Immediately the King’s death was announced the Queen spoke on the telephone to members of the Royal Family who were not present at Sandringham. When all necessary had been done, the Queen went sorrowfully to bed, the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Kent vainly trying to console her, but her Majesty’s grief was too great for comfort now that the happy union ■which had lasted so many years was

ended. The Queen, her duties in her high position temporarily ended, is permitted to mourn her dead husband like any other loving wife. Everyone was anxious that the Queen, who had borne the strain of the past few days with unwavering fortitude, should rest as much as possible so that the strain, should not bo overmuch on her health.

It was disclosed to-night that the King during the past two days had been lying in a state of coma except for brief intervals, but he was able to recognise the Queen and his children, greeting them with a faint smile whm they entered.

FUNERAL PLANS. KING’S BODY TO LIE IN STATE AT WESTMINSTER. BUBIAL AT ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL. RUGBY, January 21. The body of King George was removed from Sandringham House to Sandringham church this evening. The coffin, on a. hand bier, was escorted by Grenadier Guards, and the procession was headed by the King’s Piper, who played a lament. The body of the late King will arrive in London on Thursday afternoon and will lie in state in Westminster Hall until the date of the funeral. The" body will be carried on a gun carriage drawn by a gull team of the Royal Horse Artillery from Sandringham to Wolferton Station. If weather permits, the sons and daughter of his late Majesty and members of the Royal Family will follow the coffin on foot r.n this stage of its journey to Westminster. The funeral will be at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, and will take place next Tuesday. There will be a full State procession from Westminster Hall to Paddington Station. Representatives of foreign countries—in many cases the heads of State—will attend. The King of Norway and Queen Maud, sister of King George, are leaving Oslo for London to-morrow. The Queen Mother, King Edward, and other members of the Royal Family will follow the cortege on foot. There will be no ceremonial display. Troops and 200 members of the Norfolk police alone will line the route. Five battalions of the Guards, a detachment of the Honourable Artillery Company, and eight infantry battalions will line the streets in the vicinity of pointe where King Edward will oe proclaimed, namely, at St. James’s Palace, Charing Cross, Temple Bar and the Boyal Exchange.—(British Official Wireless.) HISTORIC GUN CARRIAGE. KING GEORGE TO BEST BESIDE ANCESTORS. MOURNING OBSERVANCES. (Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 22. It is expected that King George’s pet Cairn terrier Bob will follow the coffin to Wolferton Station. There will be a full State procession on January 28 from Westminster Hall to Paddington Station, where the body will be entrained for the funeral at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. The gun carriage will -be Hie -historic vehicle used at the funerals of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. It will be drawn by naval ratings from the Boyal Naval Gunnery School on Whale Island, wfiere King George served as an officer. Troops of the Household Cavalry will escort the coffin from Windsor Station, to the Chapel and the Guards will line the st reefs. The scene in the chapel will be brilliant. Royalties will be seated in thechoir and the Knights of the Garter will occupy the stalls . When the coffin is lowered into the Royal vault, it will lie near to those of King George's father and mother and close to the body of his elder brother, the Duke of Clarence. Others buried in the vaults beneath the choir are Henry VI., Henry VIII., Charles 1., George 111., George IV., and William IV. The first six months’ full mourning means that women in Court circles are required to wear complete black ensembles, including black shoes, gloves and ornaments, with little or no jewellery except diamonds. One departure from precedent is that for the first time it is not compulsory for women to wear black stockings. These may be of gunmetal or other sombre hue as a concession to modern fashion. The prevailing trend of fashion is uninterrupted, though formal evening dress will have less decolletteage than ordinarily. Evening coats will be of black velvet, chiffon, heavy crepe-dp-chine or satin. Fur coats are- permissible. Dozens of London women to-day bought complete outfits of mourning.

The windows of many stores are entirely redressed with black garments. The public will never know the terms of King George's will. An official of Somerset House said: “The King's will is a thing apart. We have no jurisdiction over it. It is not subject •to probate or death duties." The Court Circular say that during the King's last moments the Archbishop of Canterbury read, special prayers and conducted a shorts service in King George’s room. It is stated on the highest authority that the Queen will continue to be known as zr The Queen" until after the funeral. Beautiful wreaths are arriving at Sandringham to-night by road and rail from all parts of the country. BRAVE-HEARTED QUEEN. BEARING UP MAGNIFICENTLY., SAD NEWS BROKEN TO I LITTLE PRINCESSES. LONDON, January 21. A high authority at Sandringham stated that the Queen is hearing up with magnificent courage. She rested this morning, and is expected to attend to-morrow’s private service in the village church. A simple homely act marks the beginning of a new reign. Since the idaysof Edward VII. the staff at Sandringham has worked to a time-table half an hour ahead of Greenwich mean time, owing to fhe late King Edward’s desire to get more daylight for shooting parties. King George continued this practice. The hew King conferred with his mother and decided with the dawn to begin new time. All clocks, including those at the Sandringham Parish Church, were therefore put back half an hour. The Princess Royal and the Duchess of Kent spent the morning with the Queen, who spoke by telephone to Queen Maud of Norway, who intends to come to London for her brother's funeral.

It was a sorrowful family party which sat down to lunch. The news was broken to the little Princesses when the Duchess of York paid her usual morning call to the nursery. The Boyal family is discussing plans for the future of Sandringham and the other Boyal residences.

All ships fired a salute of 70 guns as a last message of the love of -the Navy, with which King George wis so closely identified. The Air Ministry flashed the news to all stations throughout the world and will hoist ensigns at half-xiast daily until further orders. The large Sebastapol bell brought to Windsor Castle from Moscow during the Crimean War, and only rung for the death of a king, has begun to toll.

Stores throughout Britain are inundated with orders for mourning. Many shops have pulled down their blinds and others have removed all displays excepting black-bordered cards of respectful sympathy. “The Times,” in an editorial, paying a tribute to the Queen, says that next to a sense of personal loss, the uppermost feeling in the minds of all people of the Empire is sympathy and admiration for her. For forty-two years she has enjoyed the happiness of an ideal union and has set an example to her husband’s subjects which, par* ticularly in the disordered years following the war, has been of incalculable value- to the national life.