POMP AND PAGEANTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1054, 19 August 1930, Page 14

POMP AND PAGEANTRY

KING VISITS CITY OF LONDON AN INTERESTING SPECTACLE The picturesque ceremonial of the King’s visit to the City of London, on the occasion of the St. Paul’s Cathedral thanksgiving service, is described as follows in “The Times”: The Royal procession Left Buckingham Palace and drove along the Mall and the Strand. The people were clustered closely round the railings of the Palace courtyard and on the steps of the Victoria Memorial, and they stood nowhere less than four or five deep on the fringes of tho roads beyond. They and the police, mounted and on foot, Avho were stationed in varying strength along the route, enclosed the bright spectacle of the cavalcade within sober-coloured borders. The carriages mounted the Avide avenue of the Mall at a swinging trot, preceded by four police officers in line on their grey horses. In time with their approach a wave of fluttering handkerchiefs flowed along the ranks of the spectators, and with it a Avave of cheering. Behind two outriders in scarlet coats came the Royal carriage, the horses ridden by two postillions in short blue jackets and white breeches. The Queen, in a dress and hat of delicate tones, and the King, who (like the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York in front of him) was in morning dress, were bowing in acknowledgment of their cordial welcome from the people. A second carriage followed with the ladies and gentlemen of the Court in attendance.

The City of London is ever ready to welcome a visit by the King, but none would wish the City to forego its traditional ceremonies. So, Avhen their Majesties approached Temple Bar, a crimson cord was drawn across the entrance to Fleet Street to symbolise the gate which, in former days, would have been closed until the Sovereign had asked leave to come into the Capital. The cord was withdrawn before even the outriders of the Royal procession reached the boundary, but just within the City the Lord Mayor stood in civic state to present and receive again the Sword, encased in a pearl-studded scabbard, which Queen Elizabeth gave to London when in 1571 opened the Royal Exchange. This as'as the first time the ancient ceremony had been enacted since the long illness of the King, and a large croAvd had gathered to see the ritual that proclaims the independence of the City. A procession from the Mansion House reached Temple Bar shortly after 11 o’clock. There were five carriages with liveried coachmen, and footmen in blue plush and gold braid, and they brought the Lord Mayor, wearing the robe of crimson and ermine seen only on high occasions, and other civic representatives, including aldermen, sheriffs, deputies, etc.

The City Marshal, in uniform of scarlet and gold, came mounted. The civic deputation was received in accordance w’ith long-established custom by Messrs. Child at their banking house, and remained within the bank until the King and Queen had left the Palace. A crimson carpet was then unrolled outside the eastern porch of the LaAv Courts, and the Lord Mayor took up a position a feAV yards w’ithin the boundary of the City. He had on either side of him the Swordbearer and the Mace-bearer. The SAVord was 1 held point upward, with the hilt resting on the ground, sheriffs, aldermen and commoners stood in line with the Lord Mayor.

Fifteen minutes before noon a murmur of distant cheering could be heard, and police officers swriftly suspended the crimson length of cord from pavement to pavement beyond tho Griffin. The cheers became louder; the outriders cantered up, the cord was withdrawn, and almost immediately the King’s carriage halted before the representatives of the City. The Lord Mayor and all tho members of the deputations uncovered. The Swrord and Mace were reversed. The City Marshal remained mounted a few yards away. Turning to the Sword-bearer, the Lord Mayer took up the Pearl Sword, advanced to the carriage, lowered the point, and offered the Sword to the King. His Majesty laid a gloved hand on the blade and returned it, with the comment that the Sword was in safe keeping. The ceremony, which had been brightened by sunshine, was quickly over, and while the crowd cheered the King and Queen, the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen and Commoners hurried to their carriages. Before 10 minutes to 12 the ci\ r ic procession was proceeding to the Cathedral, and the Royal party moved down the slope of Fleet Street, amid the acclamation of thousands of citizens who lined the route.