THROUGH CITY OF CREPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 204, 31 August 1935, Page 9

THROUGH CITY OF CREPE

CORTEGE REACHES THE PALACE CROWDS LINE THE ROUTE CHILDREN UNAWARE OF MOTHER’S DEATH Received Aug. 31, 1.5 a.m. BRUSSELS, Aug. 30. Queen. Astrid’s body was conveyed from the station in a motor-hearse through a city of crepe. All the shops wore shuttered and tho yellow and black national flags were furled so only the black was visible. Troops lining the route wore mourning badges and the colours were draped with crepe. Immense crowds lined the route, even greater in size than those which witnessed King Albert’s funeral or Queen Astrid’s wedding procession. Tho King did not accompany the cortege. He had left the train at- a suburban. station and motored to tho Palaeo to await the arrival of the body. His arm is in a sling, llFgers bandaged and with plaster over hi? eye he looked fixedly ahead. Burgomaster Max, the Diplomatic Corps and Government officials were present at tho station when the funeral train arrived. Soldiers transferred the white oak coffin ip a hearse and bugles sounded the “Last Post.” The cortege slowly passed to the Palace, where the body was placed in the same room, draped in black and silver, and filled with, white flowers, where King Albert’s body lay in state. The King stayed alone several minutes. His saddest duty is still to come, for the children do not yet know that their mother is dead. It is understood the King wishes to personally break the news to the two older children. SYMPATHY FROM U.S.A. PRESIDENT CABLES THE KING. Received Aug. 30, 7.6 p.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 29. The Secretary of State (Mr. Cordell Hull) and other high officials joined with the President, Mr. Roosevelt, to- , day, iu extending sympathy to xhe Belgian ruler and people in the death of Queen Astrid. Tho President cabled King Leopold: “Mrs. Roosevelt and I have been deeply moved at ’tho tragic news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, and we hasten to extend to Your Majesty our heartfelt sympathy. The people of the United States will share the grief of the Belgian people in the loss of a Queen who so graciously personified tho ideals of Belgium. I earnestly hope .‘hat Your Majesty will rapidly recover from the injuries which, I understand, v ou personally suffered. I send my affectionate regards in this hour of your great sorrow.” Mr. Hull paid a formal call of condolence on Prince Eugene Delingne, Belgian Charge d ’Affaires at Washington. SORROW IN NEW ZEALAND GOVERNOR EXPRESSES SYMPATHY. [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Aug. 30. The Governor-General (Lord Galway) sent the following message to tho Belgian Government:—• “Ou behalf of the Government and people of New . Zealand, with whom I desire to associate myself, I beg to express to the Belgian Government and tho Belgian nation the profound sorrow which is felt throughout this British Dominion at the death, under such tragic circumstances, of their beloved Queen, and sincere sympathy with them iu their bereavement. (Signed): Galway, Governor-General. ’ ’