ARRIVAL AT WINDSOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 843, 24 May 1910, Page 3

ARRIVAL AT WINDSOR.

THE LAST SCENE OF ALL.

“EARTH TO EARTH." THE ILLUMINATING SUNSHINI LONDON. May 20.

Windsor was densely crowded. Many took up positions at. 6 o’clock and tho streets wore impassable by 10 o’clock. The police and mililary cleared the- route. At 11 the earlier portions of the procession arrived by special 1 rains. It reformed and awaited the collin on the platform. The coffin on a- gnu carriage was drawn by bluejackets through Highgate Bark, mid thence by lamgwall to Hie west, door of St. George’s. The Kings and Princes followed afoot as before, except that the Duke of Cornwall was immediately behind King George. The liell at, Curfew Tower was tolling, and the artillery firing minute guns. Queen Alexandra and Princess Marie drove behind the foreign Royalties. Queen Mary of Norway followed. St.' George’s was undraped, the only decoration being the banners of Hie Knights of the Garter over tho choir. There was a, distinguished congregation of 700. who were early sealed in tiers and in the aisles, including the AgentsGenernl. The choir stalls were tilled with Ministers and ox-Ministers, including Mr Asquith. Mr Balfour, Lord Lansdowne, Mr Winston Churchill, Mr Lloyd-George, Sir Edward Grey, and Mr Austen Chamberlain.

Windsor station was guarded by bluejackets. from tho Gunnery school, a hundred of whom drugged tho gun carriage', forty others acting us checkers of the gnu carriage. King George and the other Royalties, after a brief stay in the Royal waiting room, then followed the coffin through High street, Windsor, and down Park street, which was heavily draped in purple and black and lined with Scots Guards and the local Territorials.

Thence the procession traversed Long Walk, passing through the Sovereign's entrance to the great quadrangle, tho procession being as before without the. Army and Navy detachments, ami with the addition of heralds and pursuivants. Tho Duke of Argyle. Governor of Windsor Castle, the minute the Long Walk in Windsor Park was entered ordered the hells of the Round Tower, and the Curfew Tower to toll, and in all churches in the town and neighbourhood The bands of tho Horse Guards and Scots Guards played Chopin’s and Beethoven's Funeral Marches. In St. George’s Chapel nine tiers of seats on either side wore covered with violet cloth.

A shilling gangway from the nave, to the choir was railed with standards and violet ropes. The Military Knights of Windsor stood on either siile of tHo gangway, with tho Royal Household on the right of the ailin' The Yeomen of the Guard were on duty in the nave with partizans reversed. Tho Gentlemen at Anns were in tho choir with halberds reversed.

Tho Royal Ladies occupied the Royal Closet, overlooking the altar, while lioo people assembled in the choir and nave. Sir Walter Parratt at the organ, played Schubert’s March “Sollcnclle.” The collin was received at the west, door by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of York and Winchester, the Dean of Windsor, canons, minor canons, lay clerks and choristers of tho chapel. As ihe procession moved up the nave the choir rose chanting the opening sentences of the service.

King George’s wreath lay on the coflin with Queen Alexandra’s cross of white orchid>s, Queen Mary's wreath of white may.

Tlie procession preceded the collin through the west door to the hicr. King George led Queen Alexandra by the hand amt Hie Kaiser lullowed willi Princess Marie on his right arm. The other Royalties and Ambassadors follow-

i’heii a brilliant spectacle was behold, the sunbeams illuminating a scene ol sombre splendour, through the side windows.

The Queen Mother ami Princess Marie look up positions at tlie side ami head ol the collin. The Kaiser and the Duke of Connaught were behind King George. Just prior to tho committal of tlie body, the Crown, orb and sceptre were removed, and ihe collin left covered by the Royal Standard. King George aovanced and placed thereon a miniature of ihe Standard carried by Hie King's Company of Grenadiers. While Hie Archbishop of Canterbury was reading the passage “Earth to earth" ihe bier and collin gradually and silently descended into the vault. After the Benediction King George and Queen Alexandra knelt together at Ihe graveside, look a last look at. the collin and retired lo the chapter room. The Royal mourners followed and -then ihe entire assembly (Kissed through Ihe choir ami took a farewell look at tlie grave. The body lies immediately below the tomb of Hie Duke of (Tnreiice.