ROYAL TOURISTS ACCLAIMED BY PEOPLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 99, 18 July 1927, Page 12

ROYAL TOURISTS ACCLAIMED BY PEOPLE

A WONDERFUL RECEPTION GUILDHALL LUNCHEON By Cable.-.—Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Friday. An ill-behaved summer relented and mid-day gave the sunniest setting to the Duke and Duchess of York’s triumphant drive. They were accompanied by an escort of Life Guards. The route to the Guildhall was packed by cheering throngs. The Duchess everywhere was delightedly greeted, especially by shop-girls, who were perched in the windows overlooking the Strand. The ceremony really constituted the final episode of a wonderful tour, because it was not only London’s official welcome home, but also a reunion with Dominion officials, with whom the Duke and Duchess say they range themselves in making known the virtues and anxieties of the southern outposts. It also permitted the Duke eloquently and earnestly to review the tour.

There were 900 guests, including the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Duke of Connaught, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister, Mr. L. S. Amery, Secretary of the Dominions, the Earl of Cavan, Earl Beatty, Sir James and Lady Parr, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald and Mr. J. H. Thomas, the Labour leaders. The first ceremony was in the library, where the Duke and Duchess were welcomed with a fanfare of trumpets. The Duchess was looking her prettiest in a cream lace gown and a pink hat. The address of welcome recalled the tours of the King and the Prince of Wales, emphasising the tact, insight and energy with which the Duke and Duchess had strengthened the ties binding the Empire. Luncheon was served in the historic Guildhall, further fanfares by silver trumpets heralding the coming of the guests.

Mr. Baldwin emphasised that he spoke not only on behalf of the City of London, but also for the people of Britain. They rejoiced that the Duke and the Duchess especially had stood the strain of the long tour so well. Few realised what a strain it was. It was no easy task to be cheerful and easytempered all day and every day. Mr. Baldwin concluded by coupling with the toast of the Duke and Duchess “a lady whom I have never met, but whom I have already fallen in love with through her photograph— Princess Elizabeth.”

The Duke, replying, spoke very warmly and fluently. He was evidently deeply touched by the warmth of the reception given them everywhere. He was loudly applauded when he paid tribute to the affectionate loj r alty to the Crown displayed throughout the visit. He gave a vivid word picture of the scenery and sporting possibilities, and concluded with a series of crisp impressions of what he had seen.

It was noticed that the Duchess beamed approvingly when the Duke referred to the beauty and physical fitness of the children of the two Dominions.—A. and N.Z.