CORONATION OF 1911

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 94, 7 May 1937, Page 26 (Supplement)

CORONATION OF 1911

Interweaving of Centuries of Ritual MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

The coronation of a king in England calls forth not merely a display of magnificence, but a ritual through which is woven the story of many centuries. Turn back the pages to June 22, 1911, When -the Royal Grown was plaeed on the head of George V. Shortly after 9.30 on that rainy morning, the first procession left Buekingham Palace and proceeded through crowded London streefe, where 60,000 troops and 12,000 police lined the route. After the Royal guests and the representatives of foreign States came the Princesses of the Royal Family and their suites. Then the Prince of Wales, Princess Mary,- the Duke of York, Prince Henry, and Prince George. In Westminster Abbey a congregation of 8000 awaited Their Majesties. There were Royalties, peers and peeresses in their State Tobes, bishops, judges and a gathering of world leaders such as is seldom seen. After the Prime Minister and the Archbishops of York and Oanterbury had entered the Abbey, there came two pages bearing the Queen 's regalia. They were followed by Queen Mary herself, truly regal in richly-embroidered robes, with six pages bearing her train.- -The organ pealed forth, -and- the choir took.up the opening bars of an anthem. Then the King entered, wearing crimson rbbes of State, with the collar of the Garter and Ihe cap of maintenance, att'ended.by train-bearers and officers of his'househ'old. The procession wa« ended by a detachment of the Yeomen of the Ghiard. To the music of the anthem, Their Majesties walked to the Chairs of State on the sonth side of the high altar. The King then came forwaTd in full view of the congregation to be "preeented" by the Archbishop of Canterbnry for recognition. This ceremony goes back to the earliest times of British monarchy, when it was customary to "present for recognition" a new king to his nobles and people. King George was acclaimed by a cry of "God Save King George!" which came from the whole mnltitude. The Coronation ceremony then commenced. After a prayer, the King took the Coronation Oath. He divested himself of the Bobe of State and took his eeat on the Coronation Chair. This ancient chaiT contains the famous Stone of Destiny, which was used in early days for the Coronations of the Scottish Kings. It was first brought to England by Edward the First (renowned as the "Hammer of the Scots") and is said to have been brought from' the Holy Land by St. Columba. Legend names it as the stone on which Jacob rested his head when he dreamt of the ladders stretching from heaven to eaTth. It has played a part in Coronation ceremonies for more than 1000 years. When the King was seated on the Coronation CKair, the Pall was, held over his head by four Knighte of the Garter. The Frimate then anointed him on head, breast and -hands. The Coronation Ring was placed on his finger, and the two Sceptres were presented to him. Next the "robe of equity and mercy" was donned. Finally the Archbishop of York placed the Crown-on the King's head, Benediction was said, and the King was enthroned. He next received the homage of the Primate, the Prince of Wales, the Royal Princesses, and the Peers of the Eealm. Then came the Coronation of Queen Mary. The whole ceremony was brought to an end with Communion.