THE PRINCE'S FUNERAL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3046, 23 January 1892, Page 2

THE PRINCE'S FUNERAL

(by elkctbic tblkoraph—-copyhight.)

London , , January 21. TnE funeral of the late Duke of Clarence and Avondale took place at "Windsor to-day. Before tho remains were removed from Sandringhnm, a special service was held in the little church there, the chancel being full of wreaths. After tho service, the coflin was conveyed to the Wolvorton station on a gun carriage, accompanied by a military escort. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Fife walked behind the bier for three miles, the ladie3 of the family and Prince George riding in carriages. Tho weather was fine, but dull. The railway carriage was fitted up in the form of a chapel, and draped with purple hangings. Flowers and wreaths were profusely scattered about the carriages. Cn arrival at Windsor the coffin was placed on a gun carriage, drawn by eight officers of the Tenth Hussars and escorted bv the Guards.

The bands played Chopin's and Beethoven's funeral marches.

The procession comprised the Prince's) charger first behind the bier, then the Prince of Walts, Prince George, the Dukes of Fife, Edinburgh, and Coimaught, tho Princes Christian and Battenberg, the Marquis of Lome, the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Grand Duke Alexis of Kussia, Prince Frederick Leopold of Prussia, tho Duke of Oporto, the Duke of SaxeCoburg. Dake Albert of Wurtc:mburg, Count Seckendoiff (representing the the Empress Frederick). and il detachment of the Blucher Hussars.

On reaching St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the procession was reformed, prominence being given to the lato Duke's servants, equerries, and household. The coffin was borne by member® of the Tentli Hussars, the officers of the regiment acting as supporters. The Prince of AVales and his son were ehief mourners, and it could bo plainly seen they were deeply affected. No flowers were employed except the wreaths which had been sent and the Princess Mary's floral harp. The coffin was privately moved after the final service to the mortuary chapel and placed between those of the Prince Consort and the Duke of Albany, grandfather and uncle of the young prince. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Eochester in the absence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is a< present in Egypt. Enormous crowds, including Ministers of the Crown and officials, attended the services at St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey. Services were also held throughout tho country, and bells were muffled. There are universal signs of mourning and salutes were fired from all the Eoyal stations. Memorial services were held in all the leading cities in Europe, which were attended by British residents, and many Royalties and high officials. At the services in Berlin the Empresses Augusta and Frederick attended ; at Vienna the Emperor ana Archduke ;at Copenhagen, the King and his sons ;at Calcutta,the Marquis of Lansdowne. The Queen sent a splendid wreath inscribed. " Mark of tenderest affection from his devoted and sorrowing grandmother." Ilcr Majesty attended special service at Osborne. Hundreds of tenants and labourers in villages round Sandringham and vicinity followed the procession from the house to Wolverton Station. '1 lie Press, in describing the funeral, comment on the universal and spontaneous nature of sympathy shown with the Royalfamily and the sorrowful domeanour of the masses. Prince George seemed physically weak still, and, evidently, has not thoroughly recovered from his attack of typhoid. The Prince of Wales has expressed his dolut of gratitude to subjects at home, and in the colonies, and India, for their universal feeling of sympathy, which, he says, will be a lasting consolation to the sorrowing hearts of the parents of the young Prince and his near relatives. Tho Standard says it is unlikely the Princess Mary would accept the money subscribed for wedding present!? as a dower, and the proposal, if pressed, would become offensive. London was in the deepest mourn* ing, and the majority of the business nouses were closed. The Marquis of Salisbury was absent from the Duke of Clarence's funeral, owing to a severe cold.