The Coronation.

Manawatu Herald, 4 September 1902, Page 2

The Coronation.

By the mail from ’Frisco we get fuller particulars of the Coronation from which we take the following;— The whole ceremonial was of a magnificently decorative character, and presented a constantly changing panorama. Each stage of the ceremony with its old world usages, furnished its quota of interest, while the inferior of the noble church, filled as it was with the officiating prelates in various coloured caps, with princes and diplomats ; officers in gold-laced uniforms ; with heralds, pursuivants, and officers of State in mediaeval costumes; with peers and peeresses in rich robes; with Oriental potentates in many-hued raiment; with men of all types and all shades of complexion from distant points of the new-crowned monarch’s empire ; with its dazzling display of and wealth of colour, presented a picture which in its combined brilliancy and distinction has seldom been excelled. It was not until the King’s procession came there, was any show of enthusiasm on the route. Lord Kitchener, Admiral Seymour, and General Gaselee as they rode together of course came in for much attention, but they all seemed to pay little attention to the people along the route. Lord Kitchener, in the splendid dress uniform of a general, also looked unfamiliar and many persons did not recognise him. The Indians were undoubtedly the more picturesque-dressed of the procession, while the Sta-'e coach of the King, drawn by fat Hanoverian horses, which figured in the late Queen Victoria’s processions, seemed much more like fairly land than usual.

The progress of the Royal cortege was marked by no special incident. With the exception of an accident toLord Edward Pelham Clinton, one of the grooms-in-waiting, it was_ a continued triumph, and reached its climax on arrival at the Abbey, where there was a scene of unparalleled enthusiasm, which did not cease until their Majesties disappeared in the annex.

Scarcely had the doors of Westminster Abbey opened before the seats began to fill. Peers and peeresses swept up the nave, their scarlet and ermine making vivid contrasts against the deep blue of the carpet. As they arrived before the thrones they separated, the peers going to the right and peeresses to the left. As the hour appointed for the departure of the Royal procession approached, the excitement about Buckingham Palace was most marked. Punctual to time, the advance guard of the Royal cavalcade issued from the archway, shortly afterwards came the Prince and Princess of Wales, and finally within a few minutes their Majesties' State coach appeared at the gateway. The King and Queen smiled and bowed in response to tho mighty roar of cheers that dwarfed all previous welcomes. The scene in the vicinity was remarkable. On the roof of the Palace were perched a number of fashionablydressed ladies, members of the household, and their cheers, with the fluttering of their handkerchiefs as the King and Queen entered the Royal coach, gave the signal for the deafening plaudits of the populace which greeted their Majesties as they emerged from the gates. Tho ovation was taken up by the crowds which thronged the Mall, and was repeatedly acknowledged by the occupants of the State coach. The King looked pale and rather fine drawn, and was'by no means as brown or robust as previous reports had led one to expect, and while punctiliously bowing from side to side, he did so with a gravity very unusual to him. He seemed to sit rather far back in the carriage, and moved his body very little. His curious crimson robes and cap doubtless gave him an unusual appearance The Queen beside him was radiant, and she never looked better.

The cheers which greeted the pair were loud and unmistakably genuine, and very different from the perfunctory applause which usually greets the appearance of members of the Royal family. After 10 o’clock the ceremonies commenced with the presentation of the regalia. Processions of the elergy with the regalia, then proceeded from the altar to the annexe, all present standing up and the choir ringing “0 God, our help,” preceding the regalia were the boys of Westminster Abbey, followed by the children of the Chapel Royal and the choir. The Duke of Connaught took his place beside the, Prince of Wales in the Abbey as the procession entered, bowing as he passed the Prince. The Archbishop of Canterbury took his seat in front of the coronation chair, and the Earl of Halsbury, Lord High Chancellor, seated himself by his side. Several minutes elapsed, however, before the King and Queen came in sight of those gathered about the throne.

Suddenly “ Vivat Alexandra !” was shouted by the boys of Westminster Abbey, and the Queen, walking slowly to the left of the throne, gained her chair and knelt at a silken pridieu, her magnificent train of cloth of gold being lifted out of her way by six scarlet-coated pages.

Two or three minutes later came the hoarse cry from the Westminster

boys of “ Vivat Rex Edward,” with blasts from the trumpets, and Kin# Edward appeared and King Edward appeared and walked to his chair in front of the throne, bowing to the Queen as he approached, and then knelt down in prayer. After removing hie somewhat unbecoming cap, his Majesty stood up, and Jibe Archbishop of Canterbury, in . a trembling voice, read the recogninition. Then there was a hoarse shout, and the blending qf the choir and the people in the cry, “ God save King Edward !" Several times this was repeated, and the Abbey rang with loud fanfares. • Again the King and Queen knelt, and the Archbishop of Canterbury walked to the altar and commenced the Communion. While the Gospel was being read the King stood erect, “ supported oa each side by the Bishops. Daring the singing of the Creed all the members of the Royal family turned to the eastward. Both King Edward and Queen Alexandra followed the service carefully. The administration of the oath followed. Standing before the King's chair, the Archbishop asked, “ Sir, is your Majesty willing to take the oath ?” The King answered in firm strong tones “ I willing.” Then the inkstand was brought and the King signed ihe oath. He did not advance to'the altar, but sat in the chair he had occupied since the service began. While the choir sang “Come Holy Ghost our souls inspire,” the King remained seated, and the Queen stood up. After the Archbishop’s anointing prayer, a gold canopy was brought over the King’s chair and his Majesty divested himself of his outer robe, and then walked to the ancient chair. The anointing ceremony was scarcely seen as the spectators were just able to discern the Archbishop of Canterbury’s movements. _ * After the prayer the King donned the colodiura sindonis, and then resumed his seat, and from the scarlet silken roll on which the prayers were printed in large type, and which was held by the Dean of Westminster, the Archbishop of Canterbury read ' the prayers, and delivered the sword to the King. < The departure of the King and Queen from the Abbey was signalled , by another salute, and the massed bands played “ God save the King,” 1 M 'The entire route of their Majesty’s return to the palace was marked scenes of enthusiasm similar to those which greeted their progress to the Abbey, * . "E