QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1925, Page 3

QUEEN ALEXANDRA.

TUB FUNERAL. IMPRESSIVE SCENES, stralia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, November 20. The remains of the late Queen Alexandra were borne this afternoon through lanes covered with snow to AVolferton Station, whence it was conveyed by special train to London. Intensely impressive in its simplicity and spontaniety was the tribute of the country people, many of whom walked miles to participate in the last, farewell. Nothing could he more poignant than the sad farewell by Queen Alexandra’s household and tenantry. The tiny bell at Sandringham Church was tolling when the King and Princes walked across the snow-covered ground followed by the Queen in a brougham. The Royal Family entered the Church, knelt silently round the coffin, being led in prayer by the Bishop of Norwich. After several minutes they left when the coffin was borne from the Church by ten giant Grenadier Guardsmen, and placed on a gun carriage drawn bv four horses, mounted by artillery men. PROCESSION FROM SANDRINGHAM. LONDON, November 2(5. Queen Alexandra’s funeral procession left the Church, and there followed, with their heads bowed, the King, with the Prince of Wales on his right, and King Olaf on his left. Then came the Duke of York and Prince Henry and then the members of the Household. There were three closed carriages. In the first was Queen Mary and the Queen of Norway; in the second, Victoria Marie of Greece, and in the third the Ladics-in-Waiting. Then followed the clergy of the estate parishes and the estate people, mostly simple folk in humble clothes.

The route lay between nine woods, crowds falling into line as the procession passed. It gradually' grew till it numbered a thousand when it reached the station. There were hundreds of tearful men and women. Seldom has the district seen a more moving ceremony than the homely passing of Queen Alexandra, the loved. When the coffin was lifted from the gun carriage and placed in the funeral coach of the Royal Train, a company of Norfolk Guards formed a guard of honour. The Norfolk Territorials Hand played 11 The Dead March.” Royal wreaths were placed round the coffin. In a second carriage there was a bewildering profusion of wreaths which had been brought from Sandringham ballroom. Their Majesties took their seats in the Royal saloon, and the train steamed out to the strains of Chopin’s ” Funeral March.” Then, in accordance with custom, when the train had departed, the band broke into a (piick inarch tune, and afterwards played ” Rule Brittania.” On arrival at London, the body was taken to St. James’ Palace, where it rests overnight. The High Commissioners, on behalf of their Governments, are forwarding wreaths. 'ldle invitations to attend the service include Sir James and Cady Allen, Justice Chapman, Lady Bell, and Mr T. M. AVilford.

ißoceivod this day at 8 a.m.i LONDON. November 27

It was a drear, frosty morning, hut a light fog, with hitter cold and turning to a. snowstorm, did not deter a black-eon ted he-f rooked crowd, which early took up vantage points between St. James’ Palace and the west door of the Abbey. Many, obviously Fast Raders, provided jugs of ten to keep out the cold. Vendors of block crepe flowers of n shnjw recalling Queen Alexandra.’?; roses had a big trade.

AN IMPRESSIVE ( KEEMHNY

LONDON, November 27.

King George was most anxious to save tho nation unnecessary expense. Those responsible* for tin* arrangements therefore were enrel'nl to avoid an excessive pageantry. Moreover it was realised that undue military display was unfitting, so the troops were eonfined to representatives of regiments with which Queen Alexandra as Princess and Queen had been officially connected. The keynote of the procession was to afford Londoners an opportunity for showing their affection for the Queen-Mother, as the service in the Abbey was intended to allow the Court and official world to pay a last tribute to a well-loved mistress.

Throughout the ni.glit the coffin lay in the Chapel Royal at Saint James’ Enlace, where it was received on Thursday evening by the Bishop of London. Apart from a recital of sentences from the Imrial services there was no ceremonial. The chapel had its lovely„interior brilliantly lighted throughout the night. A gold communion plate was displayed on the altar beneath tall candles. The altar vases were filled with white roses, and wreaths in rich prolusion were placed on and about the coffin, which was watched hy Gentlemcn-at-Arms, and Yeomen of the Guards in the familiar crimson and gold uniforms.

King Ooorgo reached the Chapel Royal from Buckingham Palace at ] 0.4*1, accomapnied by the Kings ol Denmark and Belgium. Here be was joined by the King of Norway, who spent the night at Marlborough House. Bearers carried the coffin to the Colour Court where the coffin was placed on a gun carriage drawn by six horses, the bearer party marching alongside, accompanied by Queen Alexandra’s equerries. The procession then moved on, marching with arms reversed, and headed by two hundred men and officers of the Air Force, and two hundred Brigade Guards. Troops in single rank lined the whole route from Marlborough Gate to the Mall.

Horse Guards and massed bands of the Brigade Guards were playing continuously, and minute guns were booming from a field battery in Saint James Park. The first gun was fired as the coffin was placed on the gun carriage and the last as the coffin entered the Abbev.

Following the detachments of the

Air Force and Guardsmen, came JO officers and men of the yacht Victoria Albert and immediately preceding the gun carriage were 200 blue jackets and marines. Behind tlie gun carriage King George walked alone, followed by the King of Belgium, Denmark and Norway, walking abreast. The Crown Princes of Roumnnia and Sweden on either sideof the Prince of Wales, followed. Then came the Duke of York. Crown Prince of Norway, Prince Waldemar of Denmark and others, including Prince Henry, Arthur of Connaught. Louis Mountbatten, equerries of the King and Princes with gold sticks and silver sticks and aides do camp.

The procession was completed by detachments representing Queen Alexandra’s regiments, the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Hussars, Yorkshire Regiment and Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurka Regiment, who represented the people of India at the ceremony. The .Life Guards turned out ns the coffin passed the Horse Guards Avenue and entered Whitehall. Queen Mary, Queens of Norway and Spain and Royal Princess drove direct to Dean’s Yard and reached the sac-ra-rirnn by the cloister door.

Meanwhile the Abbey was crowded with notable personages. While they were gathering, Nicholson (the Abbey organist) played a selection of solemn music, including Stanlord’s funeral march from Rocket- Parry’s prelude to "Abide With Me.” choral preludes by Ranh, Brahm’s solemn melody, Wnlforrl Davies Greig’s Death of Ase from Peer Gynt, ending with Tc.harkovskv’s funeral march.

Arriving at the west door of the Abbey the troops fell out and the procession. headed by the choir Chapter, passed up the nave, the coffin being borne by a bearer party from the King’s Company of Grenadier Guard®, tf 10 choir meanwhile singing sentences to Doctor Croft’s music.

The bearers stopped under the lantern and placed the coffin mi the oatafaloque. the King and mourners standing at Llie head of the coffin and the Lord Chamberlain, and the Lord Steward at the foot. The Abbey Altar was Imng in funeral black.

The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service, assisted by Canon Carnegie and the Precentor of the Abbey, all wearing purple enj.es.

The service commenced with the 2.'!rd Psalm, and the lesson was from the loth, chapter, Ist. Corinthians, verses 31 to 33; then the hymn "Now tho Labourer's Task is O'er.” the Lord’s Prayer and collects from the burial service. the*anthem from the Russian liturgy "Give Rest O Christ” followed. the service concluding with the hymn "Oil the Resurrection Morn.’’ when their Majesties and the Royal family left by the west door. The coffin, covered bv Queen Alexandra’s standard, remained under the lantern, watched by the Geiitlr-men-at-Arin.s and Veometi-of-tlie-G mini. The genera! public was admitted to the Abbey at 1 o'clock, and continued to to enter until late in the evening, •'tilering the poets’ corner, and leaving by ilie north door.

AUSTRALIAN SERVICES. SYDNEY. Nov. 27. To-dav was recognised as the offii iul day of mourning for the death of Queen Alexandra. All the State schools closed at noon, after a morning devoted to lessens dealing with Queen Alexandra’s life. Many of the public .schools also held observances. St. Andrew's Cathedral was attended by the Governor and other prominent people from all walks of life. At sunset a saint:' of forty guns was fired bv the Navy, followed by a similar salute by the Army. MELBOURNE. Nov. 27. Services of mumbling were held throughout Victoria to-dav and salules similar to these at Sydney were fired at sunset.

LONDON. Nov. 27. A woman arrived at Westminster Ablx'.v at eleven last night, determined to wait throughout the night to lie first to enter for the service. Others arrived early in the morning, despite the fact that it was freezing. AT sfva. SUVA. Nov. 27. Services were held in nil the churches to-day in connection with. Queen Alexandra's funeral.