Big Crowds Cheer Afghan Royalty

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 305, 16 March 1928, Page 1

Big Crowds Cheer Afghan Royalty

IMPRESSIVE WELCOME MAGNIFICENT BANQUET By Cable.—Press Association.—Copy y RUGBY, Wednesday. King Amanullah and Qu sen Souriya of Afghanistan received a wonderful welcome from the cit - zens of London to-day when they were the guests of the Led Mayor. Sir Charles Batho, and the Corporation at the Guildhall. As they drove from Buckingham Palace with an escort of the Lite Guards they were cheered all the way to the Guildhall by large crowds of people. King Amanullah saluted hi acknowledgment and Queen Souriy.i smiled happily. A distinguished assemblage gathered in the library of the Guildhall. Their Majesties were greeted by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the latter presenting a bouquet to the Queer . When the visiting Kang and Queen entered the library they were evidently impressed by the scene. The ancient hall glowed with the colour of the robes of the city fathers and brilliant military uniforms. Their Majesties were enthroned on either side of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. The Recorer of the City «*t London, Sir Ernest E. Wild, re id an address of welcome which was inter preted and handed to King Amanullah in a gold casket. His Majesty thanked the citzens of London for their warm welcome, and said the friendly relations existing be - tween King George and himself should be a great factor in the future political and commercial relations between the British nations. The procession was again formed and the Royal visitors were then conducted to the banqueting hall, where the magnificent decorations and the glitter of the city’s famous gold-plate presented a dazzling scene. This evening the Foreign Secretary. Sir Austen Chamberlain, gave & dinner at the Foreign Office in honour of King Amanullah. The Prince of Wales wa.present. and the guests included the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, members of the Cabinet, the Liberal leader, Mr. Lloyd George, and the Labour leader. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, also the High Commissioners of the Dominions and high military' officers. —A. and N.Z.