ROYAL TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1923, Page 2

ROYAL TOUR.

AUSTRALIAN AND N’.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION’. KING AND POPE. VISIT TO VATICAN. ROAIE, Alav 9. King George and Queen Alary had a private conversation with the lope at the Vatican lasting twenty-five minutes. The King wore a full dress military uniform and tho Queen a regulation black dress and veil which is obligatory for ladies visiting the Pope. Great crowds thronged the routes to see their Majesties. Papal cars in the whole splendour of the Papal Court were called upon for the ceremonial reception in St. Peter’s Square. Two regiments of cavalry rendered military honours. At the entrance to the Palace, a Swiss guard presented arms. ’ In St Damascus Court, was a company of Palatine guards with music and the Papal flag, together with a platoon of gendarmes who rendered military honours while the baud played the British Anthem.

At the foot of the stairway leading to the Papal apartments they were welcomed by Prince Ruspolc, while at the head of" the stairway a large crowd of Prelates, who are members of the Pontifical ' Court surrounded them, forming a brilliant, picturesque gntliing. Preceded by six Palfreys, flanked with a detachment of Swiss guards, they proceeded to Clementine 11 all, on tho threshold of which another group of Prelates and officers of the Vatican armed corps joined the escort and proceeded through Tapestries Hall, which was lined hv noble guards in a red uniform. As the cortege entered the ante-room of the Papal apartment, the Pope advanced unescorted and welcomed the Royal guests, and escorted them to his private parlour. Subsequently their Alajesties received at Villa Patrize a number ol English cccliastics, representatives of various English philantrophic institutions in Rome. Cardinal Gasparri arrived at the Legation at noon, for the purpose of returning the Papal visit, and remained to luncheon with the Royalties, which other representatives of the Vatican attended, tho company numbering 20.

ROY ALT Y ENTER-'J' A 1 NED. ROAIE, May 9. King George and Queen Alary attended a reception to seven hundred members of the British colony at the Embassy, and later a gala performance “The Barber of Seville,” in the Constanzi Theatre. QUITE UNPRECEDENTED. ROME, May 9. At 3 o’clock Cardinals Bislcti, Vnnnutelli, and Merry Be Val conveyed to tho British sovereigns the greetings of the Sacred College. This was quite unprecedented and was not done for the Kaiser when lie visited tho Vatican.