The Proclamation Ceremony.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4399, 11 May 1910, Page 2

The Proclamation Ceremony.

HEARD BY ENORMOUS CROWDS. KING GEORGE’S EARNEST SPEECH. London, May 10. The Proclamation of King George V. was made in London and other cities. In London it was first made from the front balcony of Friary Court, where Queen Victoria was first presented to her people at the beginning of her reign. Mr Lloyd George, Mr Winston Churchill, Sir Lewis Vernon Harcourt, and the headquarters staff were present, while Mr Pierpont Morgan, the American multimillionaire, accompanied the Ministers. The Duke of Norfolk headed the College of Herald’s pursuivants, and the gathering was a brilliant one. When King Edward’s death was first mentioned, the crowd uncovered, and remained bareheaded until the close of the ceremony. Earl Rosebery, Lord Kitchener, and four of the young princes witnessed the ceremony from the garden wall. When a man in the crowd unexpectedly started an anthem, the Princes, Lord Rosebery, and the crowd joined in. King George and Queen Mary did not appear, but watched the ceremony from the windows of Marloorough House.

Following a fanfare by State trumpeters, the Garter King at Arms, Sir Alfred Scott Gatty, at St. James’ Palace, proclaimed George V. King of Britain and the Dominions Beyond the Seas.

Enormous crowds joined the Garter King: at Arms in shouting “God Save the King.” The band then piayed the National Anthem, and, escorted by an imposing cavalcade of Life Guards, the Garter King at Arms proceeded to Charing Cross, Temple Bar, and the Royal Exchange, at each of which places the proclamation was repeated with the same ceremony. ' Seven thousand troops lined the route, which was crowded. The artillery fired the accession salutes in St. James’ Bark, and the flags over the Tower of London weie hoisted to the tops of the masts, where they remained for the rest of- the day. The children of King George watched the ceremony from the gardens of Marlborough House. King Edward lies in state in Westminster Hull on the I7th, 18th, and 19th insts., and the funeral will take place on the 20th.

Countless tributes were read at the memorial services from all denominations in Britain. The Primate, at Westminster Abbey, gave an impressive discourse from Psalm 94, verse 7. He emphasised the valuable national asset in the note of unity struck by common ownership of the central home. This was overwhelmingly the [case when that home was genuinely endeared to the hearts of the people. Those listening on Saturday to the quiet words of a brave, resolute, straightforward man, rich in purpose, who had lived a simple, disciplined life, and was called in the prime of his manhood to assume duties sc overwhelming in greatness, had cause for tharkfulness and hope. The Primate then quoted the official text of King George’s words: “It will be my earnest object in life to follow in my father’s footsteps, and to uphold constitutional Government in these realms. 1 am deeply sensible of the very heavy responsibilities cast upon me, but I know I can rely upon the Parliament and people of these islands and the Dominions overseas to help me to discharge the arduous duties, and upon their prayers that God may grant me strength and guidance. I am encouraged by the knowledge that I have in ray dear wife a constant helpmate in every endeavour for the people's good.”