Proclaiming the Coronation.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXV, 21 June 1902, Page 1250

Proclaiming the Coronation.

A MEDIAEVAL CEREMONY On .June 28 of last year, the anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Victoria, the proclamation with regard to the King's intentions with regard to his Coronation was made. The people of London were given a foretaste of the splend nr and dignity of the function for which preparations have been so long in progress. and which this month will see accomplished. With quaint ceremony the King’s proclamation, telling his beloved subjects that he and his consort would be crowned with due solemnity the following June, was read out at St.

James' Palace, again within Temple Bar, ami finally from the front of the lioyal Exchange, and all in a world of brilliant sunshine that flashed on sword and armour. Purple drapery hung over a portion of the facade in the old Friary Court at St. James' Palace, and the few ordinary passers-by wondered what was going to happen, for the Heralds' College, who were about to read a proclamation to the people, had left the people in total ignorance of the fact. A little before 11 o'clock the purple mantle was supplemented by a gailyhabited party of heraldic officers, and a body of police with Jubilee medals kept back the gathering crowd.

Shortly afterwards the four State trumpeters, in their heavily-laced uniforms. the sergeant-trumpeter distinguishable by his sash. took their places upon the balcony, where the Duke of Norfolk, as Earl Marshal, was

standing in mufti. As the hour of eleven struck the officers of arms stepped on to the balcony. The tabards an 1 1 he State maces from the Tower i.'ade a gorgeous show. Just beyond lhe wall which divides the roadway from the grounds of Marlborough House was the King, an interested spectator in more senses than one. Attired as an admiral of the fleet. His Majesty stood on a raised platform commanding a full view of the Friary Court, and beside him were the Queen. Princess Victoria, and Prince Edward and the other children of the Duke of Cornwall and York.

Three times the Royal fanfare was blown by the trumpeters, ami the De-puty-Garter read the proclamation. Mr Weldon has a remarkably go-d delivery and an exceptionally fine

voice, and the words of the proclamation were heard without the slightest effort all over the courtyard. At the conclusion in a loud voice came the words “God Save the King.” and the Guards’ flag was held on high. At the conclusion of the reading of the proclamation the trumpeters again stepped to the front and blew the Royal fanfare once. In a few minutes the procession emerged into Pall Mall and made its way to Temple Bar. which renewed its old life for a while. The Lord Mayor, the Aidermen, and the Sheriffs, in their scarlet gowns, and the City officers in their gowns, preceded by the City trumpeters, took up their positions near the site of the old City gate, that ancient barrier being represented by a scarlet rope drawn across the roadway and held up by police constables. Here, as in

duty bound, the City Marshal wanted to know the business of the proces sion. When the pursuivant and the heralds and the flashing escort of the Ist Life Guards arrived he advanced and asked: "Who comes there?” "The Officer of Arms,” answered the pursuivant, “who demands entrance into the City to proclaim His Royal Majesty's Coronation." Then the pursuivant was conducted to the Lord Mayor, to whom he exhibited the Order-in-Council referring to the occasion. The Lord Mayor replied : “I am aware of the contents of this paper, having been apprised yesterday of the ceremony appointed to take place, and 1 have attended to perform my duty in accordance with the ancient usages and customs of the City of London.” The Lord Mayor then read aloud the Order-in-Council requiring the herald to proclaim His Majesty within the jurisdiction of the City, and returned it to the pursuivant, and directed the

City Marshal to admit the cavalcade. Thereupon the cavalcade passed into the City, and after the trumpets had sounded the herald made the proclamation at the corner of Chancerylane. Then the trumpets sounded again, and the cavalcade, followed by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, anil officers, proceeded to the Cornhill entrance of the Royal Exchange, where a herald read the proclamation again. Huge crowds surged up to the big barriers of City police, and every window, roof, and ledge around the space in front of the Royal Exchange was inhabited by sight-seers. Below was a big patch of colour and a thin ring of shining steel. At the close of the ceremony, as the heralds and officers dispersed, thousands took up the strain and sang “God Save the King.”