The Coronation.

Manawatu Herald, 12 August 1902, Page 2

The Coronation.

The news that the King has been crowned In Westminster Abbey on Saturday removes the anxiety (hat something might have occurred at the last minute to frustrate the event.

The slight contretemp that marked the ceremony was owing to the age of the M'chbishop of Canterbury whose eyesight was so bad that he had to be practically led by other bishops. The font! of lifting the King on to his throne Was blit a touching of his hands though the invalid King was able to assist the Archbishop to rise from an act of homage to him. The Abbey was the scene of a glorious gathering and the clergy went in procession from the dhoif carrying the spurs, Edward the Confessor’s staff, the orb, chalice, paten and King Edward’s crown, and handed them to the officers of State selected to carry them to the annexe.

The Queen and her supporters and officers of State were the first to come up the nave and choir in procession after the retnrniitg Clergy. The' Queen's magnificent robe train was carried by eight papes in scarlet, the Mistress-of the-Robes supporting the terminal of the train, hers in turn being supported by pages in blue. The Queen passed across the chancel to the faldstool facing the line qf bishops grouped under the northern wall of the chancel alid Immediately under a box containing the Princess of Wales and her children.

The King’s procession followed, the officers of State carrying the insignias as arranged. The King, with, the Bishops of Bath and Durham as his immediate supporters, knelt at the faldstool adjoining that of the Queen. The Archbishop of Canterbury in a loud voice them proceeded with the recognition, which took place at the faldstool instead of the dais, the King being presented to the west only, when the people shouted “ God Save King Edward.” The Archbishop of Canterbury administered the oath, to which the King replied in a voice that could be heard half way down the Abbey. His four responses showed a firmness of tone that would have become a strong, healthy hlaU. His Majesty then kissed the Great Bible presented by the Archbishop. The anointing of the King proceeded under the canopy, as prescribed. ,The King having moved to the Coronation chair, the Archbishop presented the golden spurs and the sword of justice was laid by the side of the King, but not girded oil. The King having, assumed the armilla, the Lord Great Chamberlain clasped its girdle, and afterwards the rings, the two sceptres and the gloves were presented by the' Lord of the Manor of Worksop. Having been touched with the Rod of Equity, the King was invested with the Imperial mantle and pallium.

One of the Bishops handed the crown to the Archbishop, who placed it on (he King’s bead, the latter holding a sceptre in each hand. At this instant the electric light wagturned on, the congregation in the Abbey cheered, the bells clanged, and the guns at the Tower' were heard booming in the distance.

This section ot the service ended with the choir singing the words, " Be strong and play the nlan. Keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.” The presentation of the Bible followed.

The King, leaving the Coronation chair, ascended the dais, with a firm step, without assistance—though wearing (he crown and pallium, aud carry 1 ing the two sceptres—the officiating clergy surrounding him. The Archbishop of Canterbury, with great difficulty, ascended the dais, requiring assistance, and nearly falling, owing to physical infirmity. Though his voice is powerful, he is so blind that in all his movements he was led by the bishops. An attendant was placed before hun at every long prayer with a scroll four feet long‘and two feet wide, on which the prayer was printed in large type. This was held by a Bishop. The Archbishop made many mistakes in reading, though he read exceedingly slowly. The enthronization, or the lifting of the King into the throne,, consisted of the Archbishop slightly raising the King’s hands while the King was in the act of sitting down. After the ceremony of exaltation, the Archbishop of Canterbury did homage to the King. He knelt with the utmost difficulty, and the King and two Bishops had to help him to rise. He then kissed the King on both cheeks. The Archbishop nearly collapsed in descending from the dais, two bishops and an attendant being required to assist him. They supported him t> wards a chair at the north end of the altar, where he stopped. The Prince of Wales then doffed his coronet, and did homage to the King, warmly kissing him and shaking his hands. Afterwards, selected peers paid homage, touching the crown and kissing the King’s cheek, the choir meanwhile singing the anthem " Kings Shall See and Arise.”

When the paying of homage had ended, the people shouted, amidst the beating of drums and the blaring of trumpets, “ God save King Edward,” “ Long live King Edward,” “ May the King live for ever.” Up till now the Queen had remained at the faldstool. She now advanced and knelt on a cushion on the steps of the altar, where Archbishop York conducted her coronation as prescribed. The Queen was annotated under a canopy held by four Duchesses. The Archbishop of York presented her with the sceptres and ring, and the, new crown replacing the circlet which she had worn till now. The celebration of Holy Communion followed, the power of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s voice in this portion of the service showing that he had recovered from his emotion and physical strain. The King and Queen having made the prescribed oblations at the altar, the Archbishop of Canterbury administered the sacrament to himself and Dean Bradley before the King and Queen, as prescribed. v The whole of the Coronation office having been performed, the King and , ,s , , „ j i , L .r..,,..,?. „ijL.i 01J.

Queen retired into St. Edward’s Chapel, where they partook of slight refreshment. During the recess “Te Denm" was sung. The King changed the pallium for the ermine and purple velvet mantle of Slate aud he Royal crown for a new crown of greater brilliancy. The. Queen's procession Was the first to leave The Abbey, her Majesty wearing a new crown.containing the famous Kohinoor diamond’, and carrying two sceptres. The King's procession followed, he carrying the orb* These insignia were handed to State officers in the annexe and the Sovereigns rode, Wearing the crowns, through the streets to the Palace. They were received with immense acclamation.

Within and without the Abbey the King appeared to have borne the ceremony welli He wore the cape of State from entering the Abbey until the crowning ceremony.