QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 28 November 1925, Page 8

QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY. Per Frew AModation—Copyright LONDON, Nov. 27. It is a dreary frosty morning, but « light fog and bitter cold, turning to snowstorm, did not deter the black-coated and befrocked crowd, which early took up the vantage points between St. James’ Palace, and the west door of the Abbey. Many, obviously Eastenders, provided themselves with jugs of tea to keep out the ©old. Vendors of black crepe flowers of the shape recalling the Queen Alexandra roses, had ’a big trade. ( LONDON, Nov. 27. The King was most anxious to save the nation unnecessary expense. Those responsible for the arrangements therefore, were careful to avoid excessive pagentry. Moreover, it was realised that undue military display was unfitting, so the troops were confined to representatives of the regiments with which Queen Alexandra as Princess and Queen had been officially connected. The keynote of the procession was to afford Londoners an opportunity lor showing affection for the Queen Mother, as the service in the Abbey was intended to allow the Court and the Official world to pay a last tribute to a well-loved mistress.

Throughout the night, the coffin: lay in the Chapel Royal at St. James’, where it was received on Thursday ’ evening by the Bishop of London. Apart from the recital of a sentence from the burial services, there was no ceremonial. The chapel had a lovely interior, and was brilliantly lighted through-' out the night. The gold communion plate was displayed on the altar, beneath tall candles. The altar vases were filled with white roses and wreaths, in rich profusion, were placed on and about the coffin, which was watched by Gentlemen-in-Arms, Mail Yeomen of the Guard, in familiar crimson and gold uniforms. King George reached the Chapel Royal, from Buckingham Palace, at 10.45, accompanied by the King of Denmark and the King of Belgium. Here he was joined by the King of Norway, who spent the night at Marlborough House. The bearers carried the coffin to the Colour Court, where the coffin was placed on a gun carriage, drawn by six horses, the bearer party marching alongside, accompanied by Queen Alexandra's equerries. The procession then moved on, marchifig with arms reversed, headed by two hundred men and officers of the Air Force, and two hundred Brigade Guards. Troops in single rank lined the whole route from Marlborough Gate to the Mall and Horse Guards. Massed bands, of the Brigade Guards, played continuously, and minute guns boomed from the field battery in St. James’s Park. The first gun was fired aS the cofEn was placed on the gun carriage, and the last as the coffin entered the Abbey.

Following the detachments «of the Air Force and Guardsmen, came twenty officers and men of the -yacht Victoria and Albert, and immediately preceding the gun carriage were 250 Blue Jackets and marines. Behind the gun carriage, King George walked alone, followed by the King of Belgium, the King of Denmark, and the King of Norway walking abreast. The Crown Princes of Roumania and Sweden, on either side of the Prince of Wales followed. Then fhe Duke of York, the ...Crown Prince of Norway, the Waldemar of Denmark, and others, including Prince Henry, Prince Arthur of Connaught, Prince Louis Mountbatten, the equerries of the King; and Princes, with gold sticks and silver sticks, and aides de camp. The procession -was completed by detachments representing Queen Alexandra’s regiments, the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Hussars, Yorkshire Regiment, and Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Regiment, who represented the people of India at, the ceremony. The Life Guards turned out as the coffin passed the Horse Guards Avenue, and entered Whitehall. Queen Mary, the Queen of Norway, the Queen of Spain, and the Royal Princesses drove direct to Dean’s Yards, and reached the sacrarium by the cloister door. Meanwhile the Abbey was crowded with notable personages. While they were gathering Dr. Nicholson (Abbey organist) played a selection of solemn music, including Stanford’s “Funeral March” from Beeket, Parry's Prelude to “Abide with Me,” ehoral preludes by Bach and Brahm, . “The Solemn Melody” (Walford Davies), Greig's “Death of Ase,” from Peer, Gynt, ending with Tchaikovsky’s “Funeral March.” \

Arriving at the west door of the Abbey, the troops feu out, anil tne procession headed by the choir and Chapter passed up tne nave, the coffin being borne by the bearer .party from the King’s company’ of the Grenadier Guards, the choir meanwhile singing sentences to Dr. Croft’s music. The bearers stopped under the lantern, and placed the coffin on the catafalque, the Ki,ng and mourners standing at the head of the coffin, and the Lord Chamberlain aud Lord Steward at the foot. The Abbey altar was hung in funeral black. Tne Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service, assisted by Canon Carnegie and the precentor of the Abbey, all wearing purple capes. Hie service commenced with the 23rd Psalm. The lesson was from 1& chapter of I. Corinthians, verses 57 to 58. Then the hymn, “Now the Labourer’s Task is O.’er,” the Lord’s Prayer, and the Collects from the burial service,' and the anthem from Russian Liturgy, “Give Rest, 0 Christ,” the service concluding with the hymn, “On the Resurrection Morning.” When their Majesties and the Royal Family left by the west door, the coffin covered by Queen Alexandra’s Standard remained under the lantern watched by Gentleman-inrArms and Yeomen of th» Guard.

Tne general public was . admitted to the Abbey, at one o’clock and continued to epter until late in the evening, entering at the Poets Corner and leaving by the North door. The procession left the church, and there followed, with bowed heads, the King, with the Prince., of Wales on his right, and King Olaf of Norway on his left, then the Duke of York and Prince Henry. The members of the household followed in three closed carriages. The first contained Queen Alary and the Queen of Norway, the second Princess Victoria and Princess Marie of Greece. The third held the ladies-in-waiting, then came the clergy of the state parishes, and the • estate people, mostly simple folk in humble clothes. The route lay between the pine woods, the crowds falling into line as the procession ' passed. It gradually grew till. it numbered a thousand. When the procession reached the station, there were hundreds of tearful men and women. Seldom has the district seen a more moving ceremony than ‘the homely passing of Queen Alexandra the Loved. When the coffin Was lifted from the gun carriage, and placed in the funeral

coach of the royal train, a company ot Norfolk Guards formed the guard of honour. The Norfolk Territorials Band, played “The Dead March.” The royal wreaths were placed round the coffin. In the second carriage there was a bewildering profusion of wreaths, which had been brought from Sandringham ballroom. Their Majesties took their seats in the Royal saloon, and the train steamed orft to the strains of Chopin’s “Funeral March.” Then, in accordance with custom, when the train had departed, the band broke into a quick march tune, and afterwards played, “Rule Britannia.” On arrival at London, the body was taken to St. James’s Palace, where it rests overnight. The High Commissioners, on behalf of their Governments, are forwarding wreaths. Invitations to attend the service include Sir James and Lady Allen, Mr Justice Chapman, Lady Bell, and Mr T. M. Wilford.