PRINCE OF WALES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1920, Page 3

PRINCE OF WALES

RENOWN' AT PORTSMOUTH. fAUBTBALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received This Day at 8.40 a.m.) " .LONDON, October 11. Mr Sandes wires from Portsmouth that the -Renown left her moorings at eight, and steamed up Portsmouth harbour in a cold grey morning, but as happened so frequently during the tour the sun shone out brightly, when the moment arrived for the people to greet p the Prince. He stood on the bridge as the Renown came up the ancient harbour, past Nelson’s “Victory” which thundered a welcome from tho guns. Many modern warships were present, all gaily dressed in flags. The Renown flew an immensely (long paying off pennant, the Royal Standard and RearAdmiral’s flag, as slio arrived with slow and stately ease at the side of the jetty whence sho started on the memorable voyage seven months ago. High military and naval chiefs [awaited the Prince on the scarlet carpeted jetty, ? with Portsmouth Mayor and Aldermen in blue and scarlet robes of mediaeval magnificence attended by„, the Beadle and other functionaries. These touches of traditional ceremonial and the fact that the populace wer rigorously kept away from the landing place by barrica3es and the police emphasised the difference between English and Australian welcomes. An enormous crowd had gathered on Portsmouth hard', but they were not allowed to come within sight of the Prince. Before leaving the Renown, the Prince shook hands with all the officers who were formed up on the ceremonial deck, and received the Marquis of Milfordhaven, Lord Mountebatten’s father. LONDON, October 11. Mr Sandes added that the Prince landed, with lus staff ami inspected the Guards of Honour from the King’s Rifles and K.MoS. Excellent, whose bands played “Nancy Lee”, and “Home Sweet Home.” He received a mayoral address of welcome home and also congratulations from the naval, military and air force commandants of Portsmouth. He then boarded the train and stood at the open door as it moved off, while the officers and men of H.M.S. Renown gave three rousing cheers, and a faint welcome from the distant crowd indicated that they would have added to the cheerful din if they had only been allowed to approach the royal presence. 'London has prepared a rousing reception for the Prince. The streets were unofficially decorated, and th'e people offered high prices for windows on the route from Victoria station to Buckingham Palace, which, .was lined by a thousand special constables. All the newspapers have congratulatory leaders with many pictures of incidents in Australia and 1 New -Zealand.

PRINCE’S REPLY. (Received this dav at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11. The Prince of Wales replying to a mayoral address at Portsmouth, said although British Institutions were not in the same state of development in all British lands he visited, there was every where, without' exception, the same spirit. He returned deeply touched and impressed by the unity and strength of sentiment binding all parts of His Majesty’s Dominions to the Crown, making the future of the British Empire secure. WELCOME AT LONDON. A GREAT HOMECOMING. A WONDERFUL RECEPTION. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11. The Prince of Wales arrived in glorious weather. He had a magnificent enthusiastic welcome from enormous crowds along the route. Victoria Station was gaily beflagged. A distinguished assemblage was admitted to the platform, including the Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur, Hon Lloyd George, Hon Bonar Law and other Cabinet Ministers, Lord Beatty, General Trenchard, Bishop of London, Lord Mayor, Chief Justice, Hon Fishei, Sir J. Allen and Agents-General. Queen Alexandra arrived at 12.10, and was followed five minutes later by King George, wearing an Admiral’s uniform, the Queen and Princesses Victoria and Mary. The King stepped across the platform and conversed with Hon Lloyd George and Ministers. Five minutes later the train steamed up to the platform. The Prince was dressed in naval uniform and was standing looking out of a window, his face flushed with boyish excitement at his home-coming. Immediately opposite the carpeted platform were the bold white words on a red background “Well Done, Welcome Home.” The King and Queen entered the train, and a few minutes later the Prince emerged and kissed Queen Alexandra, the hand playing “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” The King did not conceal his pleasure he felt in the reunion. He smiled as he chatted with Hon Lloyd George and others.

The Prince, followed by Ins brothers, shook hands with personages on the platform, including Mr Fisher and Sir J Allen, before he and the King inspected the .King’s Company of Gre- ” later the assemblage faced the photographers, and as the royal carriage drew up, Mr Fisher called for cheers for the Prince. These were smiling throughout, was proceeded by scarlet outriders. A splen did procession moved off, theiPraw > e ‘ ing in the first carriage and the Km 0 and Queen next. The cheers of the huge crowd outside marked the °penof the triumphal procession through the principal thoroughfares of London, the City’s millions evincing unfeigned delight as the procession traversed the m ile 8 s of streets en route to Buckingalong He wide rout, and were punctuated by cooees. /he weather was glorious and was remmi - cent of a mild Australian summer day.