The Royal Wedding.

Shannon News, 27 April 1923, Page 4

The Royal Wedding.

JNE OF ROUTE THRONGED. FINE ADDRESS" BYr ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. A WARM OVATION. (Received Friday, 2 a.m.) LONDON, April Kor the second time within 14 months, the Abbey was the seen* * alt oval wedding. Thre e e„,st S aUenUcd the -vvlailo outside "as a in '“ ti.. •. and enthusiasm, along thc_ rout between the Abbey and the 1 alaee, where from an early hour sightsceis began to occupy coigns of ' a “ tas ’ During the past week, the Duke of York and his Scottish bride h. _■ coin,, increasingly popular and the. selection of a bride from Ins own land won the entire approval of the people. In most respects, thcweddingcei emonial closely followed that of the Princess Mary’s. The route was lined by the first battalions respectively or the (Grenadiers* Coldstreams. Scots, and Welch Guards, while the various

Guards’ bands were stationed at points on the route. At the Abbey a dismounted party of the 1 lth. Hussars and detachments *>f the Stometset Light Infantry, the Bast Yorkshires and the Army Ordnance Coi 'P s - line i (1 up the pavements. The Duke of York s connection with the navy and an foi -e was marked by guards of t«nour ;u the Abbey, doors being furnished from them. In addition to the military. 9000 police were stationed along the route. Queen Alexandra preceded the King and Queen to the Abbey by a few minutes, while the Duke of Y° lK accompanied by the Prlnc<. of Wales a.nd Frince Henry, left the I alace shortly after his parents. Ihe bride, accompanied by her father, left hei home at Bruton Place, just utter 11. The procession of the Royalties was along a gaily decorated route, down the Mall, across the Horseguard s Parade, into Whitehall, thence to the Abbey, which was entered by the west door. While the congregation was assembling, Mr. Nicholson, the Abbey organist, played selections. A great ovation was accorded their Majesties as they alighted at the Abbey. The bride, escorted by her father, walked to the altar preceded by the choir singing the hymn “ Lead Tjg Heavenly Father.’’ As the young couple took their places before the altar, the Dean of Westminster reaa the exhortation, after which the Archbishop of Canterbury began the service. With him were the Archbishop of York, the Primate of Scotland and the Abbey clergy.

The Archbishop of York delivered an address to th e newly-married couple. The Archbishop said: "To this great, this crowning day of your lives, you have come attended by the august moving memories 'of this hallowed alace, and by the kindly thoughts ana wishes of a nation. Before this host if witnesses, seen and unseen, you have offered your love to one another and to God. You have received from Him at this altar new life, wherem rour separate lives are now till death made one. Will you take and keep this gift of wedded life as a sacred i-ust? Sacred it must be. for your \>ve and Cod's love are within if. With .'1 our hearts we wish that it may ke happy, but though you cannot, resolve that it shall be happy, you can and will resolve that it shall be noble. You will think not so much or enjoyment, as of achievement. You will

have the great ambition to make this

one life now given to you, something • irh, true, beautiful in inspiration, and

strength to fulfil this sacred trust will come to you from God who gave tt. Ton will, we are assured, resolve to make this wedded life of yours a blessing, not only to yourselves, but to others, not least to those who in the world toil and struggle and have- most need of help and cheer. The warm, g iierous heart of this people takes

you to-day into itself. Will you not., in response, take that heart with all Us joys and sorrows into your own r " You, sir, have already given many

proofs of your care for the welfar 0 of our working people. You have made yourself at home in their mines, shipyards and factories. You have brought the boys of the workshop and the public school together in free, frank companionship. You have done much to show your own sense and increase the public sense of the honour , and dignity of labour. “ And, you, dear bride, in your old Scottish home, have grown up from childhood among' country folk and friendship-with them has been your native air, so you have both been fitted for your place in the peoples’ life. The nations and classes which make up our Commonwealth too often live their lives apart. It is, therefore, a 'great thing that there should be in our midst one family which is regarded by all as in a true sense their own. It helps to give the Empire the spirit of one family life. Let the example be ever before you of Him, who. though Lord of all men, is yet, their brother, and who was, and Is content to be among His brethren a» one that serves. Thes e same hopes wo cherish for you, but, after all, it is to yourselves, as simple man and mala, now husband and wife, that our hean turns as you go forth to meet the years to come. “ On behalf of a nation, happy in your joy, we bid you God speed arid wish you good luck in the name of the Lord. Through all the changes and

chances in this mortal life, may God's love ever shadow you. His power protect you, His spirit guide you, His peace enfold you.” After the address, the bridal party retired to the vestry to sign the register.

As the Royal procession moved from the Abbey, its bells peeled as never be. fore, about five thousand changes being rung, lasting three and a-half hours. The crowd vied with the bells in giving the wedded couple a warm> send.off. The bridal pair returned to the Palace by a route, extended

through the Mall to St. Jame’s Street, Piccadilly, Hyde Park, and Constitution Hill, and there was one long.continued ovation. The King and Queen, accompanied by a field officers’ escort of Life Guards, and Queen Alexandra, with a captains escort of Life Guards, returned to the Palace by a shorter route to welcome their son and daughter-in.law. The Abbey guests included every phase of society with a strong representation of the -foreign Diplomatic Corps, and representatives of all the Overseas Domin. ions and Agents-General. WAITING IN THE RAIN. DECORATIONS DRENCHED. (Received Thursday, if.s p.m.) LONDON, April 20. After- a whole day’s rain, came a brief fair interval late in the evening, but from midnight the downpour continued hour after hour. For this reason, there were, fewer'night assemblers outside the Abbey, along- the route than on t.h c occasion of Princess Mary’s wedding. It was surprising that there were any at all. Little groups, including women,, sheltered in the doorways of Whitehall in the vicinity of the Abbey.

The weather forecast states that it will be fairer at intervals, but there is no sign of them. The decorations are drenched, but many have been withheld till the early morning'. Crowds, undeterred by the rain, waited outside Buckingham Palace yesterday to see the Duke of York, the bride and her mother, who left’late in the afternoon. the Duke of York escorting them to the dooiway, chatting in full view of the crowd. It is expected a million people will witness the processions to and from the Abbey. Thirty working class boys will be in the Abbey itself, also four working' men selected from the dockland organisation. The decorations include many Dominion flags. The newspapers are publishing the full programme. pictures and leading articles commending the Duke of York’s choice. CROWDS FATHERING AT SIX O’CLOCK. (Received Thursday, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON. April' 20. Threatening weather continued during the early morning, with showers at intervals. Crowds commenced to assemble at six o’clock over the greater part of the route, notably Piccadilly and St. James’ but the streets were practically empty in the vicinity of the Abbey. Hundieds had been waiting all night long many brought their own camp stools < and there was plenty of room. At nine in the morning, the sun made a feeble attempt to shine, but the conditions are ominous. POLICEMEN LIKE ROUTE. (Received Thursday, 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. Hundreds of police wearing raincoats. had parts of the route practically to themselves. Towards eight the crowds arrived and joined those who had brought tlicir own breakfast, tire remains of which were strewn along the route. . The earliest places rushed were the Mall near the Palace, Marlborough Gate being the most favoured, also , ‘Horseguards’ Parade, where the King and Queen pass on the way to the Abbey, and the bride and bridegroom traverse on the return to the Palace.