THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO BELGIUM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 103, 25 December 1852, Page 11

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO BELGIUM.

[From the Liverpool Standard, Jug. 27.],

Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, four of the eldest of the royal children, and the ladies and gentlemen of "the Court, left Osborne Palace at half-past six o'clock on Monday evening, and embarked in the " Victoria and Albert." '

The royal squadron got up steam early next morning, but it was not till 45 minutes past six that the vessel began to move. The royal squadron passed through Spithead about 7-30 a.m., with the wind a little to the northward of west, and on the starboard quarter, presenting a magnificent sight to early risers.

The royal yacht had a fore-topsail, set, and passed through at the rale of 12 knots, followed by the man-of-war escort, under steam and a crowd of canvas—courses, topsails, tongallantSctJiS, iVViila, StlllKiillgSiUlS. About half-past five o'clock in the evening the squadron arrived in the Downs, and slipped anchor in front of Walmer Castle. Shortly after the " Royal Victoria and Albert" yacht had cast anchor, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by several distinguished members of the royal suite, came ashore in an open boat, and proceeded to Walmer Castle to visit the Duke of Wellington. After a stay of some length the Prince Consort quitted the cnstle, and returned on board. The royal fleet then made preparations for passing the night (which proved pretty favourable) in the Downs. Next morning broke with tempestuous symptoms, notwithstanding which, however, her Majesty gave orders to proceed, and the royal squadron weighed anchor about five o'clock. Shortly before six the whole fleet steamed off. briskly for the shore of Belgium, under a royal salute from the guns of Walmer Castle. On Wednesday evening her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and suite, arrived in the Scheldt, at a quarter past seven o'clock, after a somewhat rough passage. The royal yacht and attendant vessels cast anchor before the town, with fuil banners flying, in compliment to the sovereign of a foreign state. A royal salute was immediately fired in return from the citadel, and the inhabitants assembled evinced evenpossible demonstration of respect to the British Queen and her illustrious consort.

* The King- of the Belgians arrived from Laecken at 45 minutes past seven, went on board the yacht, and dined with her Majesty.

On Thursday morning her Majesty, with his Royal Highness Prince Albert, their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Princess Alice, and Prince Alfred, attended by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, and. the-ladies and gentlemen of the suite, landed at Antwerp at nine o'clock. Her Majesty was saluted by the batteries; the ships composing the ro3 ral squadron likewise saluted and manned yards. ller Majesty was received, upon landing, by the King of the Belgians, and immediately entered one of his Majesty's carriages and four, and proceeded to the railway sFatiou, where a special train was in waiting to convey the royal party to the palace of Laecken, where they arrived about 10 o'clock.

Ihe Queen remained at Laecken on Thursday till four o'clock, when she drove out in an open carriage, accompanied by the King and several of the suite in another of the royal equipages, along the road to Brussels. The Queen drove rapidly along, and entered Brussels by the Rue de la Madeleine, round the Boulevards, past the Park and Palace, and then returned to Laecken.

On Friday at 11 o'clock, the Queen, accompanied by the Prince, the Prince of Wales, the Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and Princess Alice, in company with the King, arrived from Laecken at the Palace, Brussels. Her Majesty partook of a'splendid breakfast in the saloon of. the palace soon'after her arrival. The young Princes went on foot through some of the streets, and returned in course of the day. As soon as breakfast terminated the Queen proceeded to1 the reception room, where she received the various members of the Diplomatic Corps at Brussels, as well as the chief, officers of state. -'■■ ■