The Queen and the Premiers.

Hastings Standard, Issue 402, 18 August 1897, Page 4

The Queen and the Premiers.

PRESENTATION OF THE COLO NIAL ADDRESSES.

[Evening Post Correspondent.] London, July 9. The Premiers had their audience With the Queen at Windsor Castle on Weducsday. They were met at the station by the Earl of Kin tore, who has been Lord in Waiting throughout the Jubilee, and was deputed by Her Majesty to receive the Premiers and act as cicerone of the Royal domain. After a short call at the Castle the colonists visited the Royal Mausoleum at Grogmore (the burial place of the Prince Consort), Cumberland Lodge (the residence of Prince and Princess Christian), the Albert Chapel (which contains the tombs of the Duke of Albany and the Duke of Clarence), and St. George's Chapel. After this they assembled in one of the State apartments at "the Castle, where they were received by Lord E. Pelham-Clinton, Master of the Royal Household. Lunch with the household in St George's Hall followed, the Duke of Devonshire, Mr Chamberlain, and other distinguished Privy Councillors having now arrived on the scene. The hall is of course, one of the chief glories of Windsor Castle, being adorned with the banners and escutcheons of the Knights of the Garter and trophies of medieval helmets and lances. Japanese screens masked the open doorway at the west end, whence a broad table stretched more than half the length of the noble apartment. The length of the table was decked with a row of palms and flowers supported in handsome silver gilt vases from the Queen's gold pantry, and was centred by a beautiful designed gilt plateau and eperne. Upon each side, and fronting the guests' chairs, were silver dishes filled wtth choice fruit. The Royal footmen who served were dressed in gold epauletted and cuffed scarlet coats, dark knee-breeches, and silk stockings, while the pages were in plain black liveries. The Queen's Scotch pipers were also in attendance, but did not play. After lunch the Queen, supported by Princess Beatrice, the Duke of Connaught, the Grand Duke of Hesse, and the great officers and ladies of the Household, received the Premiers and their wives in the white drawing-room. Each Premier was in turn called upon by her Majesty and presented the address he had brought over from the colony. To the first of the Right Honourables (Sir Wilfrid Launer and Mr Reid) the Queen said a few gracious words; at the rest she smiled. Each gentleman also received the Jubilee medal.

This ceremony over, and the Premiers' wives having also presented the addresses entrusted to them, there was a brief adjournment, and then in another apartment the Premiers were sworn in members of the Privy Council. At 4.30 the party returned to town.