PRINCE OF WALES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 5

PRINCE OF WALES.

CEREMONIAL AT CARNARVON. INVESTITURE IN ANCIENT WELSH STRONGHOLD. POPULAR ENTHUSIASM. By Telezraph—Press Association—Copyrlshl (Kee, July 11, 11 p.m.) London, July 14. The investiture of the Prince of Wales at Carnarvon Castle, which took place to-day, evoked a great demonstration of popular enthusiasm and loyalty, the ceremony being a most interesting and picturesque one. A hundred thousand jubilant Welsh people poured into Carnarvon to witness the proceedings, and many London police and firemen assisted to line the route. The troops and sailoTs in attendance numbered sixteen thousand. Tho King and Queen and other Royal personages wero accorded a rapturous ovation. King George wore an Admiral's uniform. The Prince Arrives. The Prince of Wales, who was attired in his midshipman's uniform, arrived at Carnarvon Castle, escorted by Lord Denbigh and tho Yeomanry. Ho was accorded a tremendous ovation by the populace, and a salute of twenty-one guns was fired in tho. Castle Square. Mr. Lloyd-George (Chancellor of the Exchequer), as Constable of the Castle, received tho Prince, and a procession of Driiids, Lords, Heralds, thirty-nine Welsh Mayors, and twenty-four Welsh members of the House of Commons, accompanied him to the Robing Room in the Chamberlain s Tower, where the Prince awaited tho arrival of the King and Queen, whioh took place an hour later.

Princess Mary and the Duke of Connaught, and the great officers of State accompanied their Majesties, who were escorted by tho Life Guards. On arrival at the Water Gate Mr. Lloyd-George delivered to the King the key of the castle. A brilliant assemblage, including tho Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, Mr. Birrell (Secretary of State for Ireland), Mr. Balfour (Leader of tho Opposition), Mr. John Burns (President of the Local Government Board), and Mr. Harcourt (Secletary of State for the Colonics) assembled on the dais in tho courtyard, where eight thousand guests had assembled in tiers of seats covering every available space.

Tho Ceremony Begins, The Garter King of Arms (Sir A. ScottGatty) summoned the Princo of Wales, who wore a short sur-coat, knee-breeches, and robe. The King personally girded on tho Prince's sword, placed the coronet on his head, tho ring on his finger, and tho gold stick in his hand. The great assemblage greeted each act with loud cheers. Tho Prince then knelt beforo the King to do homage for tho principality in tho following words;— 'I do become your liego man of lifo and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto vou, to live and dio against all manner of folks. So help me God." Tho King then handed the letters patent to tho Prince and kissed him on both chocks.

The religious service which followed was short but most impressive. It had been drawn up by the Archbishop of Canterbury in consultation with the ftey," Evan Jones, of tho National Freo Church Council. Tho scrvico in -hided one hymn ill English and one in Wolsh, and it was conducted partly by the Bishop of Bangor and partly by a Nonconformist minister. Speech by tho Prince, Sir John Rhys "Mabon" (Mr. W. Abraham, Labour M.P. for Rhondda) and the Arch-Druid presented' an address from tho people of Wales, greeting tho Princo as their leader. Tho Princo of Wales replied in tho following words I am very young, but I have the example of my dear father and mother. (Hearty cheering.) I hope to do my duty to the King and to the Principality. The Welsh phrases in the speech greatly delighted the populaeo The King presented tho Princo at Queen Eleanor's Gateway, at the southern extremity of the Castle, to the thousands of people surrounding the Castle, and the crowd sang "Land of our Fathers." Tho presentation was twice repeated amid fervent demonstrations of loyalty. Their Majesties subsequently returned to Holyhead. The Prince of Wales has been initiated as Chief of the Welsh Boy Scouts.