CORONATION PAGEANTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20498, 14 May 1938, Page 9

CORONATION PAGEANTRY

ROYAL ROBES AND REGALIA EXHIBITION IN HAMILTON LARGE CROWD AT OPENING “ It is a delight to Hamilton people and an education to the younger members of the community to be favoured with the opportunity of seeing this display of Coronation robes,” said the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, in opening the exhibition of the Coronation robes worn by the King and Queen and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, which was held in the Bledisloe Hall yesterday afternoon. With Mr Fow on the official platform was Mr H. D. Caro, the Mayor-elect. When one looked at the beautiful workmanship displayed in the robes and regalia one could easily understand the veneration which was attached to the office of King and Queen of the greatest Empire that had ever been. It conveyed to the people something of the loyalty of British people to the Royal Family. “ The display conveys to our minds a picture of the scene in Westminster Abbey on that eventful day and also helps to bring us in closer touch with Royalty,” commented Mr Fow. British subjects overseas could not obtain the same idea of the pageantry attached to the Coronation through pictures of the scene as they could through such a display as they were witnessing. Arrangement of Display. Enclosed in a glass airtight case measuring 15 feet by 12 feet and standing 12 feet high, the King’s robe and surcoat. the Queen’s robe and tin* Princesses’ robes were draped on dummy figures standing on a raised platform 12 inches high. Also in the case, which was fitted with electric light, were the King’s glove and the actual circlets worn by the Princesses. The canopy was erected separately on a raised platform and supported with poles nine feet long. Four white metal sockets complete with screws and split wood wedges, held the canopy in position and on the platform was displayed the piece of gold carpet nine feet by seven feet. Part of one side of the hall was devoted to the 11 British and Royal Standards, including the New Zealand standard, which aroused a good deal of interest amongst the spectators. In this section was also displayed the frontal of the Royal box and the regalia table. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony. Mrs M. Murray Fuller, who is travelling with the robes, gave a description of the exhibits with part of their history. The exhibition will conclude at 5 p.m. to-day and on Sunday will be taken to New Plymouth, where it will remain for two days.