A Brilliant Court.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1922, Page 4

A Brilliant Court.

LONDQN. June f). The first Court of the Season, held by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace last evening, was a sti iking and brilliant affair, attended by ]OU<) guests, associated pJiiu-ipaVy with diplomatic and official circles. .Thousands of London's citizens assembled outside the palace gates and along both sides ol the* Mall to watch the passing of the motor-cars and carriages in which came the Kings guests Hi all their gorgeous finery. The palace itself was brilliantly lighted and all the slate apartments wore opened tor the Court, lhe presentations took place in the ballroom, the largest apartment in the building, which for such occasions as this becomes in effect the T bropc Kooin. There is a low dais at one end ol it. and oil this dais all alcove ill which there arc two thrones. I 1 or ordinal'' occasions the alcove is hidden behind heavy curtains, hut tor tin* Court the

artains were drawn and the thrones islcosed, though not occupied. ' The King’s marshal men, in their liking uniform of crimson and gold, pro on duty at the entrances to the ! dace, and the main staircase was lin--1 by troopers of the Household Caval- ( f. j The gencial colour scheme of the ball- ; iiom was white and gold, with crimson flrpot and furniture upholstered in . iiiisou damask. Magnificent tapestries J domed the walls and the principal j gliting was from huge pendent, cut- I ;laiss electroliers. The iloral decora- | ions were composed mainly of graceful alms, hydrangeas and pink roses. | Windows giving on to porticos and an Iconics were thrown wide, and awn- 1 mgs were erected over the balconies so that guests could retire to the open alien their presence in the hallroom was not required. The hall supper-room, the state dining room, and other apartments were provided with buffet supper tables, and there was a Very effective display in these rooms of the famous gold plate. The new regulation curtailing the length of Court trains added grotty! to speed, and convenience, thus making it possible to invite a larger number of guests than was possible in the days alien long trains made the presentation ceremony a cumbrous ami sknv process. This innovation. and the corresponding reduction in the height ' of the feathers worn, was found not to detract from the dignity of one of the most imposing an l picturesque ceremonies associated with the Court.

FORKIGN MINISTERS. Before the Court, the Queen had presented to her in the White Drawing room certain Ministers of foreign countries and their wives who had not previously had the privilege of meeting her. Then a procession was formed in the White Drawing-room and passed through the full range of state apartments to the Ball Room. ft was headed by the King and Queen and was preceded by the Lord Chamberlain and a large company of Court officials v.ho .carrying their wands, walked backwards at a slow pace, facing towards their Majesties. rhe King wore the uniform of Colonel-in-Chief of the Ist Life Guards, with their riband of the Garter across his breast and the Stars of the Carter am| lfath.

The Queen’s dress was of pale blue and gold moire brocade in mediaeval style. The train was of blue and gold with a border of gold gahm. upon

which were embroidered lotus floweis. She wore a diamond crown and her principal ornaments in addition were diamonds aim. 'the Ouecn, like the King, wore the Order of the Garter , across her breast. Princess .Mary and Lady Mary Cam- ■ bridge weie among tiie most strikingfigures m the stately procession and hath were charmingly dressed. j When the royal procession arri/ed in the hall roJin the National Anthem was played, the King and Queen took their places at the front of tne low dais, and presentations in the diplomatic circle were then proceeded with. I lilt; DIPLOMATIC CIRCLE. I As indicating the growth of the diplomatic circle, by the creation of new States m the rearrangement of the map of Europe, the total attendance last night was about 60 above normal. Formerly the representatives of Germany were among the most gorgeously arrayed of ail the diplomats, but 1 now, as representatives of the Repubi lie, they have no uniform and appeared in plain evening dress.

There was no formal royal supper, hut the King and Queen took refreshments with their guests and at the conclusion of a brilliantly success‘.ill function returned in procession to their own apartments.