LOYALTY NOT DIMMED BY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 99, 13 May 1937, Page 6

LOYALTY NOT DIMMED BY

-Prees Assn.-

RAINFALL Tumultuous Crowds Cheer Royalty on Return to Palace "LONG L1VE THEIR MAJESTIES!"

(By Telegraph-

-Copyright.)

• ^Received 13, 10.25 a.m.) ' LONDON, May 12. At the close of the Westminster Abbey Coronation cerefnony the crowds from Hyde Park to the Abbey stood and sang the National Anthem; then theysettled down patiently to await the afternoon procession. Rain began to fall at 2.30 p.m., but, though it was heavy enough to oblige the crowds to put up nmbrellas, the troops lining the route were ordered not to put on their waterproofs. It was not sufficient to take the colour from the pageantry. The departure of the Royal Family from the Abbey was .the signal for renewed tumultuous acclamations which lasted throughout the six miles of the route, over which the procession took 90 minutes to pass.

. * The little Princesses came out of the annexe jufet ahead of Queen. MaTy. Princess Margaret Rose was a little bewildered, but smiled bravely. Princess Elizabeth was more composed. They sat :with their Royal grandmother smiling atthe roar . of plaudits and the \sea of waving handkerehiefs and hats as they drove off in the Qlass Coach. Then, amid the clang of the Abbey bells, xung in "clashes," the roll of drums and the triumphal. chords of the National Anthem, Their Majesties appeared, the King wearing the Imperial State. Crown, blazing with jewels, and earrying the Orb and Sceptre, and the Qneen wearing her Crown and earrying Iter Sceptre, to meet another • terrifle TOtr -of cheering. Both looked tired. The King appeared to be the more inscrutable. The Queen visibly showed lier h'appiness. They again entered the Gold ' Coach. * As it departed ' at 2.23 p.m. the cheering inereased to an almost unbelievable pitch. ; The "first spatter of ' rain- fell when Their Majesties' coach was enterin'g the Embankment, but it did not affect the enthusiasm of the thousands of children, whose ' shrill cheers " equalled in volume, if not in resonance, the'reeeption accorded Their Majesties throughout the State -drive. t The rain becaine - heavier, • aua thousands of spectators . covered ■ their heads , with newspapers; others seemingly. were oblivious to the downpour. Even'when a thunderstorm forced many to run to shelter the enthusiasm continued on the same high note, cheers "being interspersed with shouts of "God Save the King! Long Live Their Majesties!" One of the finest welcomes accorded Their Majesties amid the pelting rain was by the thousands of ex-Servicemen who had been given a special positioh in. Hyde Park. I

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, also was rnuch acelaimed, Despite the peraistent downpour, enthusiasm was not damped as the Golden. Coach descended Constitutional Hill. People in packed stands, many fillod with overseas visitors who had been cheering their own representatives and troops as they passed, rose and gave ronnd after round of acclamation which swept along like a tidal wave. The thunderclouds overhead caused Such darkness that the electric lights in the coach were switched on and shone on Their Majesties' smiling faces. There were similar amazing scenes of loyalty as the coach Tounded the Victoria Memorial. At the entrance to So'uth Gate at Buckingham Palace Their Majesties descended to be received by the Royal Salute and by the National Anthem, in which everyone joined. Thousands waited, the rain beating on their upturned faces turne'd towards the balcony in the hope that Their Majesties would appear. They were continually shouting the chorus; . "We want the King and Queen! We want the King and Queen!" Then, just before 3 p.m. Their Majesties, still wearing their CrownB and Coronation Robes, came to the balcony and were met by a gigantie roar of welcome. Their Majesties bowed repeatedly. There was continued cheering, which was again full-throated, when the Princesses, wearing their golder. coronets, appeared and stood in front of Thoir Majesties and looked over the balcony. Queen Mary and the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent joined Their Majesties, causing further cheering. The Royal party remained on the balcony for five minutes and left as the throng was singing "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows," whereupon thousands immediately and spontaneously broke ont into the National Anthem.