THE CORONATION OF King George V.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12767, 23 June 1911, Page 5

THE CORONATION OF King George V.

WO,:ID-WiDE REJOICINGS.

LONDON THE SCENE OF A MAG-

SiFiOENT SPECTACLE.

COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF YES. TERDAYS GREAT EVENT.

(United Press Asspiiation.—-Copyright.)

Received .J.une .22, 7.35 p.m

LONDON, June 22. \

.No. "Tarigilagp.', can-.-exaggerate the: splerxloui- and effect- of, the great spec- J tade London witnessed to-day. Besides | its own population, half as many mil-j lions have gathered in this great metropolis, to see the pageant of the Coronation, or to tako part m the! sacred cerenionial., at Westminster, as generations have done before for eight hundred years. The people of England have been joined iii their reverence and rejoicings by royal princes and envoys from e^ei-y ipart of the Avorld; by representatives of venerable empires like China arid Japan, by delegates from the East; by the actual presence of Indian princes,."with" pedigrees reaching f-urther back than those of the Guelphs or the Stuarts; .by the representatives of the youngest and most advanced democracies. •[■ Besides all those\of alienblood who came to honour the Empire's '.King,, .the occasion brought back to the Homeland thousands of sturdy children of the British race, who have built up new states ana new institutions of the parent type wherever the British tlag- has flown. To the. forty odd<-princes who- came from foreign lands the King's coronation was a pageant more magnificent than any erf thorn could; ever have .seen;, bub to thousands of representatives and rhembars of the colonies who are how in London to-day's ceremony was not only an act of religious con-] ~socration, but a recognition of the , Kingly tie which .binds the Empire to-' gether. London has boon preparing for this event for many months. The experience of King Edward's crowning , nine- years' ago ' afforded many precedents of detail, but owing to King Edward's serious health that ceremony was .somewhat curtailed. The Coronation of George V revived many features of the earlier usage- and ceremonial. Happily, however, the Coronation banquet was not includi'd. On mo 4 occasions whon that feast has been celebrated it became on orgje and an unworthy sup-,, plement to th« religious ceremonial * King Ednard* Coloration -afforded many precedents for the honouring of visitors, for street decorations, for the use of military and police and the coiiirol of tho crowds. These were adopted or improved upon to-day. The decorations weiv on a lavish, scale. For the five miles of the Royal route every . yiird had been subjected to special adornment. There was one exception. Tlie Mail, from the Palace, to the new Coronation; Arch, which gives access to Charing Cross. The north side of this long section was .lined with stands, including one of large dimensions opposite Stafford House, wlik-h was vnaiply devoted ,to the- colonials.

Tho accommodation and feeding of the visitors has been a serious problem. Hundreds were foodless during tho long hours of waiting,, yet all were, well behaved. There were'no scenes, of vulgarity, violence or rowdyism, as at King George • IV's Coronation, when thy very sanctuary of Westminster had to bo protected by a bodyguard of pugilists, and the were divided in their allegiance. Everywhere today there was intense loyalty and enthusiasm. The crowds cheered everybody of note, especially Lord Kitchener, who had control of all the military and rode up and down the line, inspecting here, rearranging there, bofore taking his most prominent place in the procession, and later joining in the, Abbey ceremonial. The Imperial Prince" of Germany, who has boon more than ever popular with Englishman since his Indian tour, was delighted by il:c cheers, as were .others whom the -crowds recognised in the stately procession. Tho programme of clearing the streets and stopping traffic, foot and vehicular, was perfect, and was completed by nine. At that hour every part of the route was suffused by dense masses of colour, tho shimmer of steel, and the expectant multitude":.. Those of tho regal princes and distinguished representatives who Avero not lodged at the Palace had been accommodated at many hotels, some at private mansions lent to tho Crown. Ali thoso assembled at tho Pala^o after an early breakfast, ru:d precisely at 0.30 tho procession started for th- Abbey. The whole avojino of troos were in their June verdure, and required' ouiy a fYw coloured flags of) masts to supplement tbo beauty of th? pork; but from Charing Cross to the Abbey there was <v. wealth of ornamentation. From Charing Cross to th? War Office thero were* masts bearing shields amid national flags, connected by garl'iiuls. In Whitehall Corinthian pillars carrying tho armorial bonrinps of ail the sovereigns from William the Conqueror wor«\^ connected with green festoons. In tli!> centre of Whitehall, New Zealand's triumphal arch, designed by Frank. Brangwyn. was gay with the -Dominion's-now, -coat of arms, capped by tho Imperial crown and decorated wjt-h pilasters .boaring mediations of King George and Queen Mary. King F.dward and Queen Victoria, Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Ward. It is of handsome design, but suffers through being only thirty-five feet high. A little further south Ontario had erected two pylons, suitably decorated. All

Whitehall was' k broad sanctuary of masts and festoons, with strings or flags and bunting of every design flyiug everywhere. Parliament Square and St. Marga_ret!s Churchyard were ' completely' cofered "by stands, whose sturdy business-like de&igns were concealed under '-sc.iclot cloth, flags ami. floral dt>:orations. Goin^ back to Charing Cross on tho return journey the loute v :r« plong' O>rk«,pur Street, Pall Mall, .Sc. Jiuju'v^iv-'t, Piccadilly, Constitution Hi 11.,!) \\\i Palace. In Pall Mall w oiv- mastb with crowns carrying the names of ih<y Dominions and other purt. c of thu Empire, and hanging How or baskets- and festoons. This section of clubland wj>s not so handsome as St. James Street, where there was a fine scheme of festoons similar to the decorations of ISO 2. Piccadilly was illuminated as Well as decorated along its entire length, on designs of Win. Richmond,. Brangwyn and . others. There were no decorations along Constitution Hill. Besides the above general schenife -there' \yere thousands of individual tle'corations. Some houses were completely garlanded with floivers and illuminations. The buildings and. club-houses.along the route, and all the stands", wore decorated with bunting. The public began taking their places at daylight, and at seven o'clock* tho t^grpiigb fares became impassable. Thp troops, of w;hom sixty thousand were-/moving to the line of route, the music of Bands, the carriage's and motors for the principal visitors^ made lip , & scene of striking ani..mation. Not,: all the peers and peer- ; esses went to the Abbey by vehicle, many travelling by special steamer -from; Chelsea J making a strange boat load \of brilliant colour, for all wore robes and ~ ccpi rt suites and carried their coronets in their hands. These landed at Westminster pier, traversed the Palace, yard, the entire soldiery in gala costumo;. and . brilliant uniforms contributing ;to the pictorial effects. j T^venty-fiyeiljousanci police iilso helped to preserve order arid to avoid the ' fatal crushihgs of people. All tho streets debouching upon the routes were barricaded. Still, the pressure was enormous. Quite two millions oi people arrived by road, rail and steamship for' mariv days before. ■ There were; twenty-five carriages in all, fourteen in the first group convoying the Royal representatives and guests, ranking in precedence from front to rear.; The Priiice of Monaco and the representatives of Egypt and Ethiopia ledA*-the~van. The German 1 princelings arid China's gaily-dressed Ambassador eamo next. The Prince and Princess of Saxe-Coburg and Baden, Young Georgo of' Greece, tho Duke of Saxe4Goburg and Prince Henry of the Netherlands followed. In tho seventh landau Avore tho French and Bavarian ' representatives, with Hayes Hammond, from Washington, the ono solitary person amid all the finery of gabi uniforms in plain morning dress. Of^the occupa'uts, in the following carriage, Prince, Henry of Prussia, the Kaiser's brother, -was tho most conspicuous. Then came tho hereditary and Crottcn- Princes and PitfilvTsses, JJsThce Dariss6?- of Montenegro, thb Crown Princes of Sweden and Bavaria, Princo Chakr.abonga of Siam (in native dress, woarjlng1 • splendid jewels), the Crown Princo of Roumania, Priiico .Alexander of Servia, and tha Crown Princo of Denmark-. In the carriage with tlie Prince and ; Princess Fushimi of Japan Avej'O the Crown Prince and Princess of Greece. Next followed tlio Duke of Dao|ta, the Grand Duke Boris, and the Spanish Infante Fernando. In tho fourteenth carriage v,cre the German Imperial Prince and Princess, Archduko Charles Francis Joseph, of Austria, and: Prince Yeusspttff Izzedin Effendi (who may # some day be the Sultan of Turkey).

Tho next section or the procession consisted of five State landaus containing the mensbers of our own Royal family, the* Dukes of Schleswig-Hol-stein, 'Teck ikl, Battenburg, the Dow-ager-Duchess* of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the Duchess of Albany, - the Dukes of Connaught and Argyll, Princesses Patricia and Henry of Battenburg, Princess Christian of .SchleswigHolstein and Princess Royal, Queen Alexandra /\nd her daughter Victoria, Iho Dowager-Empress of Russia (who wont to' Snndringham early in tho weok- to correct a silly suggestion that ihc Queen Mother had withdrawn hertelf out of jealousy or iii-will—an absohitely ridiculous idea. J't should bo recalled that crowned personages do not attend Coronations, for all present must directly or indirectly make hornago to tho-new Sovereign). The-fifth carriage of tho Royal section contained the Prime of Wales, Princes George, Henry and Albert^ and PiincosS' Mary. Those young people 'were recognised along the entire route ana ■wildly i-hoored. Next to their parents, none got such a reception. The third, or King*, 'section of- the procession loft tho Palace at 10.30, escorted by the Itoynl Horso Guards. After the i'our landaus containing the maids of honour, grooms, chamberlains, uud Loi'ds-in-wniing,. came the last conveying Lord Spencer (Chamberlain),. Lord Chcstor/iold (Lord Stewui'd) the Countess of Mintp";(Lndy-:n-Waiting),-- the Duchess of Devonshire (Mistress of tho Rolk-s)--most important officials in the Queen's service, and Avho played a leading part at Her Majesty's right hand in all to-day's ceremonies.

When the landaus had swept by, there oame into view a most picturesque section of the procession—a navy juid army escort of nearly two hundred of tho men best known in the service. ■•'There were rudes-de.^cp.mp, general officers, inspectors-general, Field Marshals Wood, Grenfell, Roberts, members of the Wai; Office staff, mom hers of tho Army| Council, a ero\\;d of marshalmen i"-and escorts of Colonial Cavalry anti Indian Cavalry. Colonel Heaton Ilhodas and Major Povcy Johnson, of New Zc-.xixnl. wero included. This brilliant cavalcade of varied uniforms made up a striking scheme of colour, which stood markedly out, even amid the blaze and glitter of tho surrounding scene, where all was colour and animation. Behind this magnificent procession there rolled along the old royal coach, immediately surrounded by an escort of Guards and

followed by. the brenzed: manly figure of Lord Kitcherier ? - with Royal Standard, occupying the plaice of; honour, next his, Sovereign. The King" wore a military uniform.: The Queen, was in. a duchess satin coronation gown of princess . pattern, arid wearing "the Marys' gifts and the garter on herarm. Their Majesties -received a splendid ovation. It is impossible to describe the enthusiasm. Both looked radiantly happy. Lord Kitchener rode at the hind wheel of tho State coach, and "immediately behind came, the Duke of Oonnaugiht and- Arthur -of Connaught' with their equerries; then Prince Louis of Battenburig, the Duke of Teck, Earl Grahard (Master of the Horse), the Silver Sticks, the Royal grooms. ..■"*''-■-

Amid these stirring happenings in the streets the Abbey was . filling up with" privileged ticket-holders. Before 9.30 nearly thousand people had entered the sacred building. The peers, in their State robos. of scarlet and-er-mine, were on tho sloping tribute, filling the wholo of the south transept. The peeresses were in a similar gallery in the north transept. The body Vf the nave was crowded with officials and favoured persons. The choir was given up to those who had formed the second section of the procession. This part of the building and the galleries over arid flanking the ■choir were also devoted to Cabinet Ministers, past and present,- judges, the more prominent colonial officials, Indian chiefs, and diplomats, the whole group being the most distinguished persons in the building after the Royalties and peers.

Sir Joseph Ward, in one of the choir stalls, was accompanied by' Lady W Tard, and, like Sir- George Reid, wore his Privy. Councillor's uniform: Mr. Fisher and the Agents-General; wore levee dress. Those who could not be placed elsewhere were sent either to the navo or "skied" with the pressmen in the triforum. The occupants J6i the nav»i only saw the prqpessiou gibing and re-1 turning to the east end of the church, for the choir screen shuts< off all view beyond it £ ;*v > :•» •

The position- assigned-."to Royalties is in tho chancel adjoining, but overlooking the saerarium or- space before the altar, a large Royal box and a small gallery above, where the King's friends and most distinguished relatives sit, being only a few feet from those, taking an actual part in the service. On tho north side was a similar recess, called the Queen's box, for the specially favoured of her Majesty's retinue. Tho Princo of Wales, whose train was borne fjy pages, was seated in the centre of three detached chairs on the . floor of the theatre, at tho foot of the peers' tribune in tho south transept, tho ono to tho right being occupied by the Duke of Connaught, and the one to tho left by another Duke. The entiro 8901" of tho sacrarium and the space under tho lantern »'was devoted to the day's ceremony. In the middle lantern, near the PrXnce of Wales' chair, aro tho two homage thrones, the King's being slightly higher than tho Queen's. Those are .of handsome Jacobean design. A few feet nearer tho altar stands the Coronation chair, and before'it the stool for the Queen's crowning. To tho right of these, on tho south side, on the floor under the King's box, are tho two chairs of State, with faldstools, altar and side table loaded .with plate. "The door to tho north a-fc /the end of the altar gives access to Edward the Confessor's Chapel, part of which is used as a small retiring room.

Tho first service of the day actually commenced in the Henry the Seventh Chapel, where the;; regalia was consecrated and taken by an ecclesiastical procession to an artificial structure or annexe put Up adjoining the west end. This building was lavishly decorated with Royal armour and tapestries. It Mas no easy -.business to arrange for this great and stately show. Tho Duko of Norfolk (the Earl Marshal) and his staff of heralds and gold sticks, and every participator in the ceremony, , had been well drilled by many rehearsals.

Before 11.30 the Coronation service begun. As the ecclesiastical profession advanced through the west doors —tho archbishops and bishops vised in copes, and the other dignitaries in scarlet hoods and surplices—a thrilling fanfare of silver trumpets herajjded their approach. Frederick Bridges' magnificent and supplemented choir broke forth in Parry's anthem, "I was glad." lii- the procession to the theatre Imperial significance was given today's event by the standards of the overseas Dominions and of India and Wales, in addition to those of England, 'Scotland and Ireland. Tho standard of Australia was borne by Lord Northcoto. ' New Zealand's new standard by Lord Plunket, South Africa's by Lord Selbornc, Canada's by the Earl of Aberdeen, India's by Lord C'urzon, Wales' by Lord Mostvn, Ireland's by Mr. T. P. O'Connor, the Royal Standard by Lord Lansdowno, tho Standards of the Union by the Dnko of Wellington, Phigland's by Frank Dymoke, the King's Champion; Scotland's by Henry .S:.#rymgoour of Weddorbiirn.

Au historically interesting part •>? the procession related to the Regalia. The Bishop of Ripon carried the Biblo, the Bishop of Winchester the Chalice, the Bishop of London the Patten, tho j)uko nf Northumberland the Crown, tho Duke of Somerset the Orb, the Ditl::' of Richmond tho Sceptre with :he Dove, Lord Beaufort tlie Sword of State, the Duko of Beaufort the Cur<ana: Lord Roberts the Second Sword, Lord Kitchener the Third Sivord; the Karl of London and Lord Grey of JRnthyn carried the Spurs, the Duke of Argyll the Sceptre with the Cms:-;, the Duke of Roxburgh© King KrJwant'r; Venerable Staff. Of the Queen's R-ega-lia tlio Crown was entrusted lo the lJuke nf Devonsliire, the Sceptre with the Cross to the. Marquis of Waterford, tho Iv-ory Bpd to tho Earl of Durham. The King's Ca iopy was borne by Earls Cadogan, Rosr;bcry, Oreave, and Minto, nnd the Queen's Canopy by tho four t<jll handsome Duchesses of Hamilton, Portland, Montrose, and Sutherland. The King had eight young trainbearers, and the Queen six earls'"'1 daughters. This stately procession

of;nearly- 400. to(ik:.;their allotted places duriiig, tho, anthem, when the King tt Silked rdoiig tlienaveand tho Westminster choi^Bdys in the- trifbrnm shouted, " "V'ivaii-Ilex! Vivat R^gina!". By ''ibis claim of .custom they represented the ." Vox populL'' of itlie Abbey:' everybody, el-^e stariclinif silent.; As the' . King swept past tliePrince of, Wales' seat the Princa.made, a deep \. obeisance, Tho King .and Queen Had- donned their , trains in the annexej Queen Mary's being a, royal shade fof silk dering over "pilk velvet 18ft. ;long, lined with er-" .mine, the whole covering-over 60 square. ; feet. This great weight; required dcx* lerotis managing1 by the' bearers to' enable tho Queen to walk comfortably. When the King and Queen reached the Chairs of Stats and'niade -their private prayers, the first act was the recognition, according to . programme. Scarcely had -tho Archbishop of Canterbury finished the presentation of tbe' King to the four sides of the theatre than tho people signified their willing- J 3iess to repeat the acclimations, ''God ■ Save the King." The Regalia was placed on the altar, the Litany /was sung by the Bishops of Oxford j Bath anoi ■'Wells,1 and a sormon by the Archbishop of York followed, thereby ending; tho introductory portion of the ceremony. : The Archbishop of Cautery then administered th? Coronation Oath, His Maje.sty promising >to maintain the laiws >f Go:l, the ProtesWnt Reliction, and the rights and privileges of the Bishops and clergy. Tlie King advanced from his chair to the altar on the steps, and kissed the Book, and declared that he would perform and keep his solemn promise. His Majesty, who had just received cheers and ovations, addressed his -people ani lords. , ,lio said ho had been hailed as accepted to rule the greatest Empire the world had over seen, and ho now presented his own homage, like any ordinary mortal, to tho King of Kings. As an introduction to the anointing the entiro congregation knelt and sang " Veni ' Creator " While the choir was singing Handel's "Zandok," the priest of tho Lord Chamberlain took off the King's outer robe* His Majesty seated himself ■ on Edward's Chair, under a pall of cloth of gold, supported by four Gar- ■ tor Knights. Tho Dean of Westminster poured oil from, the Ampulla into the Spoon, and the Archbishop of Can- I torbury anointed tho head, breast, and < hands. While the- King knelt, tho Archbishop, standing over him, pronounced tho-b loosing. The Dean of Westminster then clothed King George with colobium siudonis, like a surplice or shirt, and a supertunice of doth of gold; also a girdle recently presented | to His Majesty by the Girdlers' Com- ' pany. 11ui Chamberlain then touched the King's heels with tho spurs, the> girdling wiih tlie sword followed, and tho >, King's ungirding-with his. own hand, and laying the weapon on the altar. It was immediately .redeemed by, tho sword-bearer, and during the resf of tho service was carried before -Hie King. After another change of the royal dress, when the Lord Great flhamberlam clothed the King with tho .\rmill or stolo, into which had been v/odved for this Coronation symbols of the Dominions (maple leaf for Canada, wattle for Smith Africa, stairs for Australia and New Zealand). For priests as well as-^.Cings • the stole is a symbol that they are invested with spiritual authority. Over the Stole the King was enfolded in a pallium, or open pall;----as opposed to a supertunica or closed palL In the present case the pallium was the same as was worn by George IV. The .imgnincent piece of decor--ated fabric glittered in the sunlight;as : fresh as when it was made, Tims clothed the Archbishop' of Canterbury presented the Orb, with the Cross, after the Orb the ring, and the two sceptres, each with an appropriate admonition and prayer. Next..' followed tlie great ceremony of the day, which had brought all present to witness. After tho Archbishop of Canterbury's . brief and earnest prayers, the King, still fitting on Edward's Chair, tho Dean of Westminster handed the Crown from tho Altar to the Archbishop, who reverently placed it on tho Ring's head. Instant?} the electric lights were turned up, and the whole congregation shouted, "God Save the King!" Tho peers, wro to this stage had sat through t\w service without their- coronets, simultaneously .raised them to j thoir heads. The acclamations over, the Archbishop of Canterbury presented tho King with the Bible, describing :*; as "tho most valuable thing this j world affords," After the Archbishop's b nediction. all the BHshops and clergy joined in a loud "Amen," followed by the roaring',of cannon, the clashing of j bolls, and suppressed sounds of cheer- | iup; from outside

Tims the first stage ended. Then followed tho enthronisation on tho King's Homage Seat under the .'.-intern. In olden tirr.es the Sovereign was lifted or cliaired by the physical force of inssi'iijects. To-day the ceremony is .figurative All the Bishops at the altar surround His Majesty in the Chair of State. The Archbishop was the first to do homage, kissing the King on the left cheek. It

was at this stage ■'where Ajrchbishop Temple nine years ago nearly fell atyKing's Edward's feet. Next the Prince of Wales advanced to the top steps of ■ tho dais, took off his coronet, and knelt before his father. The others of blood royal in tho Abbey also knelt in their places and joined the Prince, each declarin ghimself, "I do become your liege man of life and limb." Tho peers next did their homage, the senior only of pach order. Norfolk for the Dukes, Winchester for the Marquises, Shrewsbury for the Earls, Devereaux for tbo .Viscounts, cadi touched the King's Grown.. ?.n<l kissed him on the cheek. When the homage was ended with tht? nnthem, there was once more loud acclamations 'vitliin che .Abbey.

Tip to tiiis stage tho Queen had l)eon .seated in the Chair of State as when she first arrived. The Archbishop now proceeded with her Coronation on a smaller and less impressive seal?. Slip stood between King Edward's Chnir and the altar. Four peeresses held her canopy, while the Archbishou of Canterbury poured oil on her heAd

and placed T;he ring on her finger. Etc then took tho newly-made Crown, 'already describe* if rom the altar, antf ieyorently plac-etl it on Her Majesty's ,head. All .fhe; ;peeresses, mostly in the Noi-th Transppt, or, wherever else seatcd<;then put an their, coronets. l>jey were dressed in gowns of their own choice, and wore trains with bars of ermine, showing tlieir ranks, and trains longer or shorter, according to their /^!^ sJn' he Peerage; .Their ijeweb w^rerinost;;resplendent, - As -they raised their right armlto adjust their light flashed, froott- their tribiineHfe . sunshine; 'oil';vbhe,;ripple ; 3 of )the sea. .The Arehbishoji bf Canterbury. thpn : placed the/Sceptre in the Qi^eer.'s right hand, and the ivory rod with the dove ii- her left, and offered suitable prayers. Her Majesty, supported by her two Bishops of Oxford and Peterborough, arose from her place of anointing, passed by the Kin^ on" the throne of homage, making a deep obiiisance, to which he bowed acknowledgment,; and ■ then sat in her Own chair of hbmage, close by the Kin^, and two: steps lower. Thus the King and Qaeen sat together, crowned, sceptred, and enthroned^ The next stage in this magnificent ceremony was the acknowledgment. As the first act. of both Sovereigns, and their duty to Almighty; God. as members of Christ's Church- hero below. Accompanied by their.:, officers",-of State they advanced front the dais under the lantern to tho altar and humbly'removed their crowns to partake- of Cpminuhion. The King personally, with his own hand, offered the bread, and, wine, for consecration. The King and -Queen,' through their officers, also presented frontal and dossal for the altar. The King also presented a wedge of gold weighing a pound. Queen Mary presented a mark weight of gold.. The Communion service then proceeded, and at its close and benediction tho service closed with "Te Deum." After a .brief- retirement to Edward the Confessor's . ChapeS, the procession returned down the Abbey, amidst the cheers of the audience and the "Vivats >J of .Westminster School! in reverse order to its entry, and so through tho streets to • Buckingham Palace, tho route changing from Charing Cross along Cockspur' Street, Pall Mall, as above described. Tho whole lino of progress was densely packed with people, many of whom had pationtly waited nine or ten hours. A wavo of cheering accompanied the Royal carriage all tho way. ■ After six hours of impressive ceremonial their Majesties concluded this momentous day's ordoa!. ■ -