BRILLIANT LONDON SCENE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 438, 20 May 1937, Page 5

BRILLIANT LONDON SCENE

THEIR MAJESTIES AT THE GUILDHALL SPECIAL VISIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUSTOM Great Crowds Wait In Drizzling Rain Press Association—Copyright. Received May 20, 9.55 a.m. LONDON, May 19. Despite drizzling rain, great crowds waited hours to watch their Majesties drive from Buckingham Palace to the Guildhall for the civic luncheon. It was the first visit to the City since their accession, and was in accordance with the custom whereby Monarchs specially honour the City in the Coronation year. Cars carrying Queen Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the Earl and Countess of Harewood traversed the route some time before their Majesties. A thunderous demonstratiqn from the concourse assembled outside the Palace greeted their Majesties’ car. The King saluted and the Queen bowed, and the car proceeded down the Mall, by Trafalgar Square and along the Strand, between ranks of rain-gleaming umbrellas. Thousands waiting at Temple Bar to witness the traditional ceremony of the presentation of the Pearl Sword to the King by the Lord Mayor were disappointed when the ceremony was abandoned owing to the weather. , A tremendous demonstration of loyalty greeted their Majesties as they stepped out of the car at the Guildhall. There was a brilliant scene inside the Guildhall. The Lord Mayor, ceremonially robed, and the Lady Mayoress, attended by the Mace Bearer carrying the City’s gold mace, and other City dignitaries, received the Royal guests. Trumpeters sounded a fanfare as the Royal procession, including 28 members of the Royal Family, entered the great hall. Their Majesties sat on gilded thrones at a table on which were golden candelabra, the City’s gold plate and two gold loving cups. The Guildhall had seldom seen such a gathering of distinguished guests, including, in addition to Cabinet members, Dominion Prime Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, illustrious peers, field marshals, admirals, judges and presidents of learned societies. Ruling Princes of India formed a separate procession, heralded by a fanfare of trumpets, after which the Royal procession filed to a table on a raised dais. The guests in the rear hall stood on chairs to watch the unique procession, as seldom have all the members of the Royal Family been thus gathered together under one roof.