The Crowning of the King

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 5, 2 August 1911, Page 7

The Crowning of the King

SUPREME ACT OF SACRED RITUAL.—ASPECTS OF THE CEREMONY—THE NOTE OF EMPIRE — PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS OF A WONDROUS SCENE.

LONDON, June 23. J?ot all the water In the rough, rude sea. Can wash the balm from an anointed King. —Shakespeare. y y ING GEORGE’S Coronation iX struck the note of Empire. Its ■GV characteristic feature was the ■*“ 5 presence of a larger number than ever before of Britons from the Doinfinions overseas. And the most impressive moment of the long and splendid. ceremony was when the Crown of (Edward the Confessor rested for the first time in his life upon the brows of King George. At that instant there went forth from Westminster Abbey a signal which vlibrated round the whole world. To every portion of the King’s worjd-wide dominions, in Canada, iu Australia, in South Africa and New Zealand, in all the outposts of Empire which link up the ocean highways of the earth, the message flashed with the quickness of thought. All round the Empire yang the cheers with whlich King George’s subjects in Westminster Abbey noelaitned their sovereign enthroned and crowned. Nations undreamed of in the days of our forefathers were linked with the traditions of England’s storied past in that supreme act of sacred ritual, the crowning of the King. My desire is to record those features of Jhe Coronation ceremony -which appealed most vividly to a Colonial temperament. You will have had in cable messages the story of the Coronation as Seen through English eyes. Perhaps some impressions of the memorable scene as it struck an onlooker from one of the Dominions overseas will give it a more intimate aspect, a more personal point of view. ,

I have endeavoured to emphasise the Imperial character of the ceremony. Were was a King who, first of all the long line of British sovereigns, had visited every portion of his far-flung Empire. No monarch ever claimed a greater inheritance; none ever travelled so far to. make himself known to his peo-ple and prepared himself for hiis exalted task. Millions of citizens of the Empire Who have never seen his capital have a personal knowledge of their Sovereign. The King, who was crowned at West minster yesterday, received the acclamation not of one’ nation only, but of all the free young nations which acknowledge his sovereignty beyond the seas. The Imperial idea gave to the age-long rites of the Coronation ceremony a wider symbolism, a new signiffcanee. This is what made the act of crowning the King so extraordinarily impressive to. the onlooker from overseas.

Hours of Waiting. Many hours or waiting led .up to that splendid cliimax, but they were hours full of a rare interest .and beauty. I had rather dreaded the prospect of spending Six or seven hours at the Abbey without fpod or drink or the opportunity of rest. Dut in reality the time sped by almost unnoticed. It was one long vision of gorgeous colour, of a richness and beauty unparalleled in my experience of British pageantry. I was too interested to fee! the need of rest; too interested even to hit down, and it was only when tlie vig*il of close on sevpn hours was at an end that I was conscious of either hunger or fatigue. That was, I think, the experience of most of those who were privileged to get a good view of the Coronation ceremony and its brilliant setting. But even if the physical ordeal had 'been Jen times as heavy I doubt if many within the Abbey precints would willingly have missed the privilege of being.present. For indeed it was the experience Of a lifetime.

It was a scene of unforgettable splendour. The solemn character of the Ceremony was not more marked than the beauty of its setting and the magnificence of its stately rites. The Coronation marched to its supreme flimax in a series of wonderful pictures. The colouring was exquisite. Robes *nd uniforms of State contrasted the •plondbur of gold and purple and crimson with the old grey walla of the Abbey, •nd the Jim fretwork traceries of the toot Masses of colbtir glowM and

shimmered between each Gothic arch. Covering the floor of the Abbey was a great carpet of rich, deep blue, which made a splendid setting for the more vivid tones above. The venerable walls of the fane were hung with tapestries of silver and dark blue velvet. Along the nave, choir, and transept, and in galleries built within the pillared arches, rose tier upon tier of seats filled with a glittering array of fair women and distinguished men. Warriors and prelates, statesmen and courtiers, princes and officers of State from foreign lands, honoured guests from the Dominions overseas, judges in their scarlet robes and full-bottomed wigs, all lent colour to the wondrous scene. The lines of flowing silk and softer shades of the women’s dresses, gave a softening effect to the terraced slopes of colour. And the light that streamed down from the long windows shone on crimson robes and purest ermine, glittered on jewelled coronets and trappings of gold and polished steel, and touched into bold relief each splash of scarlet and purple until the great cathedral was one long vista of glorious shimmering colour. Seats of Honour.

Several hours had passed in the building up of this scene of grandeur. The Earl Marshal and his staff were in the Abbey by five o'clock in the morning. From seven o’clock till after nine there was a constant stream of peers and dignities passing up the floor of the Abbey to their seats. Peeresses w-ere given places on the opposite side of the Cathedral from their husbands, the former being in the north transept, -the latter iu the South. The Royal guests, the foreign Ambassadors, and members of the British Cabinet had seats in the choir. The oversea Prime Ministers, in Windsor uniforms, sat in the front row' of the choir, at the end nearest the Royal Thrones. They and their wives -were guests of the King, and as Buch had seats of honour. Nothing -was lacking, in fact, to mark the oversea dominions’ share in the great Imperial occasion. One recognised in the choir seats the familiar figures of Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. John Burns. What a change for the latter, by the way from his Trafalgar Square days to a seat of honour in Westminster Abbey, and a gold-laced uniform, with knee breeches and silk stockings. Opposite Mr. and Mrs. Burns could be seen Mrs. Asquith. The Prime Minister himself, wearing the uniform of the Trinity Brethren, was in one of the processions, and did not sit with the other members of the Cabinet. In the gallery immediately above the choir I recognised two famous veterans of the Russo-Japanese war— Admiral Togo and General Nogi—their dark blue uniforms ablaze with medals and decorations. They had come from far Japan to represent their country at the crowning of King George. The Crown Prince of Germany and his. wife, the former wearing a magnificent blue robe over his uniform, headed the processioh of the Royal representatives up the Abbey. Peeresses and the Qneen.

The peeresses, resplendent in flowing trains of crimson velvet, with white veils falling over capes of snowy miniver, gave the north transept, where they sat in rows, an indescribable richness of effect. The order of precedence was carefully observed. Duchesses sat in the front row', then the marchionesses, then the countesses, and so on. The gorgeous trains that swept along the floor behind them as they passed to their seats were edged with bands of ermine which varied in depth and design with the rank of the wearer. It was interesting to see bow deftly the scarletcoated usher lifted each train with a quick turn of his wand, and hung it over the peeress’ arm as she reached her appointed place. Fairest of all the fair -women in the scats of the peerage appeared the Duoheae of Sutherland, > and the Duchess of Marlborough and the Duchess of Portland also attracted universal attention by their elegance and

grace. Even in the softened light of the great cathedral the jewels of the high-born daine.s flashed, with a brilliance that held every eye. Some of the most magnificent diamonds were those - worn by the Duchess of Northumberland, which were of. immense size. The Duchess of Roxburghe wore a gorgeous diamond tiara with true lovers’ knots in diamonds, which formerly belonged to Marie Antoinette, on her shoulders. Down the centre of her corsage were enormous emeralds, surrounded with diamonds, and a drop of seven pearls terminating in one great diamond was worn on one side. The Duchess of Portland wore the famous high tiara with the Portland diamond swinging in the centre. Lady Mar and Kellie looked very beautiful in her robes with- a diamond tiara and a diamond necklace, and the front of her dress covered with diamonds and pearls. But the most gorgeously attired in all that brave array of fair women at the Abbey was the Queen. Her Majesty’s entrance in stately procession up the nave was a magnificent piece of pageant ry. Her velvet train of richest blue trailed for eighteen feet behind her. The train was lined throughout its entire length with ermine, a broad band of which surrounded the outer blue, with an inner band in threads of gold. To have trailed so great a train without assistance would have 'been impossible, owing to its weight; but the trains of Royalty are borne by maids of honour, and in this land of ceremonial and courtly etiquette to do so is esteemed a high privilege. Eight young girls in white, daughters of peers, walking four on either side of the train, supported it with loops of ribbon. The end of the train was borne by the Duchess of Devonshire, whose own train was carried by a little page. The Imperial Note.

The entry of the King brought a fresh blaze of colour into the crowded scene. As yet he wore no crown, and his dress was a crimson robe and short white cape. But a glittering retinue passed up the church with him. Many of the figures about him outshone his Majesty in splendour of attire. The Knights of the Garter, the great officers of the Royal household. Lord Kitchener and Lord Roberts carrying the Royal swords, the Duke of Beaufort with the broken-point-ed Sword of Mercy, were outstanding features in the Royal train. The standards of India and the Overseas Dominions were borne by peers in the procession. Lord Plunket carrying New Zealand's and Lord Northcote that of the Australian Commonwealth. These symbols of a great Empire extending beyond the seas were introduced for the first time in a British Coronation ceremony. They were amongst the characteristic features of the crowning of the Sailor King. It was touches like these which gave to the ceremony its broad Imperial note.

Of the Coronation service one need not speak in detail. It lasted close upon three hours. Shadows of past centuries lived again in the performance of that ancient ritual. It was curious to reflect how unbroken was the continuity of custom that crowned a twentiethcentury King with the rites and symbols that did service a thousand years ago. But this side of the great occasion would appeal more to the home-dweller than to the Briton from overseas. Greater Britain has not the same sense of kinship with England's past, for our parents broke with the past when they uprooted themselves from British soil to start life afresh under alien skies. It is in the person of the King, in the symbolism of his sovereignity, that we are united with England’s island story; the forms and ceremonies of a vanished age have for us an antiquarian interest rather than a personal interest. But one could admire the dignity and simplicity of the antique phrasing of the ritual. Our forefathers could say things simply yet proudly. ‘Sirs, I here present unto you King George, tlie undoubted King of this realm. Therefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same!” This diallenge, four times recited in ringing tones by the Archbishop of. Ganterbury, in cape of white and gold, was answered with shouts of “God Save King George" from the boys of Westminster School, who made the old rafters resound with their acclamation. The anointing of the King, the donning, of the Royal robes, the presentation of spurs, swords and ring and other mediaeval rites, were interesting rather than impressive to eyes unused to elaborate and .age.hftic rß.ua! But Qie supreme act of Coronation, the placing

of the crown upon the Sovereign’s head was the moment of thrilling interest and significance. The stillness deepened over the great assemblage as the Archbishop, after reciting the fine old prayer beginning "O God, the Crown of the faithful," held up the crown and reverently placed it on the head of the King. Instantly each peer rose to his feet and placed his gleaming coronet upon his head. The Kings of Arms put on their crowns. Trumpets sounded and drums were beaten, and then with a burst of sound great shouts of "God Save tba King” rang through the Abbey. At the instant of the crowning also the signal went forth to the outer world- The guns in the Tower of London and in the Parks were fired. Joy-bells dashed in all the churches. To all parts of the King’s Dominions ran the message of his crown ing, calling forth paean after paean of acclamation, until the whole Empire spoke with one great voice. That was the only supremely dramatic moment of The Human Note.

Then followed the homage, with its quaint ritual of feudalism. The Arch bishope knelt to render homage to the King, and the bishops knelt with him, repeating after him the words of Rub mission, a formula eentqries old. The prelates were followed by the young Prince of Wales.

The homage of the Prince brought with it a genuine human note into the service. One forgot for the momenj that these two were King and Prince; one.saw them there as father and spn. The Prince in his heavy robes of State knelt before his father and repeated with boyish diffidence the Plan tagenet oath: “I, Edward, Prince of Wales, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks. ... Ko help me God.”

A thrill of sympathy sufficing to bring tears to many eyes ran through those who saw and heard him. The Prince should have leaned forward, as the Archbishop had done, to salute the King, but the King at this moment, with an impulse of fatherly affection, kissed the boy and dismissed him with a little pat on the cheek. It gave to the whole service just that touch of humanity and tenderness which would otherwise have been lost to view in all the splendour of kingly pomp and circumstance. It de traded nothing from the splendour, but it made the King more real.

QUEEN MARY CROWNED

CLOSING SCENES IN THE ABBEY

LONDON, Tune 23. Her Majesty’s Coronation was short and comparatively simple, but provided a wonderful sight. She was anointed tin der the golden canopy by the altar. The Duchesses of Sutherland, Hamilton, Mon trose and Portland held the canopy high above the head of their royal mistress, on whose head the Crown was place! by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As this was done all the Peeresses put on

their coronets, a proceeding that might have provoked ribald laughter on a flit ferent occasion. For many of -the highborn ladies made a fearful hash of ths business. Some could not get the coro nets to set upon their heads at all, an t others only succeeded in getting them to stop on at an angle that can only be described as rakish.

The Queen then passed back to the Throne, curtseying low to the King as she passed before him. After the en thronement came the celebration of the Holy Communion, and when that was over the King and Queen passed behind the altar into St. Edward’s Chapel. Here the King exchanged the Crown of St. Ed ward for another which he wore on his way back to Buckingham Palace. The Crown of St. Edward is far too heavy to bear for long.

There was a short interval, during which the King changed his cloth of gold robes for those of crimson and ermine, and during this period the minor royalties returned to the annexe to prepare for the return journey to the Palace.

And then the King and Queen reappeared, with the strains of the National Anthem voiced by organ, band, dtorters and the assembled multitude in the ears, passed down the .long aisle — crowned.

Then we in the Abbey enjoyed a unique privilege. Am the strains of "God t»*va

the King” died away, the Headmaster of Westminster School, Dr. Gow, called upon his scholars for three cheers for the King. With a will the hoys started and everybody joined in. “Three for the Quern ” was an order obeyed to to the full by the boys. Then there was a pause, and, taking advantage of it, Dr. Gow sma-bed precedent into little bits, by calling for three more cheers for the Prince of Wales. These were given with even mere vigour than those for his father ami mother, for the congregation had by this time quite overcome the ditiidelta- that had restrained their voices when cheering for the King an.l Queen. Cheers in a place of worship—especially tsm-h a venerable pile as the Abbey —

aeeincd at first anomalous, to say the least of it, but in the end the lead given by the strong-throated M’estminet. r boys proved irresistible to nearly ev i rybody.