The record-union., 1898-09-07
The Ceremony Took Place at Amsterdam
Yesterday.
A Vast Multitude of People Greet
the Young Queen on Way to the
Church-Her First Utterances on
Taking the Throne Listened to
With Profound Emotion.

IoI more important ceremonies to-day
upon the occasion of the long awaited
enthroning of Queen Wilhelmina, who
came of age on August 31st The day
began with a salute of 101 guns, and a
majestic choral performed by trumpet
erS from the crenellated towers of the
five great churches of Amsterdam
Crowds of people assembled early in
the morning and took up positions
from which to view the royal process
sion to the Neukirk, an edifice that, in
spite of its name, is 400 years old By
10 o'clock the Damplatz presented a
magnificent spectacle. The center was
cleared and the sides We're densely
thronged, the front places being re-
served for the children of the orphan
ages. The multitudes We're kept back
by lines of troops of all arms.
From the principal gate of the palace
| to the church between lines of naval
cadets were stretched gay awning
decorated with streamers, and velvet
carpeting was laid over the short dis
tance which the Queen had to traverse.
AT 1879 the DT1ncely families of
SaxeW Weimar and Weld drove to the
church, escorted by cavalry, with
bands playing, drums beating and the
troops presenting arms. Almost i'm
mediately afterWard the Queen mother
appeared in a state coach, which was
surrounded by a gilt royal crown upon
a crimson cushion. She received an
ovation, and was greeted with endless
cheering and cries of Long live the
Queen mother"
About ten minutes later the beating
of drums and the blare OF trumpets
signaled the fact that Queen Wilhel-
nina had left the palace, and at that
very moment the sun burst from the
clouds in brilliancy, which was looked
upon as being happy augury for the
young sovereign.
The procession was headed by the
King-of Arms, with the heralds in
their gorgeous, antique costumes, and
bearing long trumpetS adorned with
pendant flags.
But all the splendor of the royal re-
tinue was overlooked by the vast
crowds of people, whose eyes were
turned upon the central figure of this
imposing procesSion-the young Queen
on foot amidst the people, decked with
all the emblems of royalty. On her
head was a diadem of diamonds,
silk with a long train, under a mantle
of rich red velvet, on which the lions
of Nassau We're displayed in gold en-
broidery. The sword of state was car
ried before the young Queen by a
General.
Her majesty carried herself with
grace and fortitude, but her blanched
cheeks were evidence of the profound
emotion inspired by the greatness Of
the occasion.
The jewels worn by the young Queen
were part of those stolen in Brussels,
September 8, 1929. Some of them We're
recovered by the police of New York
a year later through information which
Frenchman named Roumage gave to
the Dutch Minister at Washington.
1t is impossible to accurately de-
scribe the acclamations which greeted
the Queen. The roars of loyal cheers
grew louder and more sustained as her
majesty proceeded to the church, which
in the meanwhile had been filled with
brilliantly robed ladies and uniformed
civil and military authorities, naval Of
ficers and members of the diplomatic
corps The interior of the church dis
closed a magnificent wealth of drapery
banners, palms and flowers. In front
of the chancel was a throne of gorge
Gus crimson and gold velvet, with
crown, orb, scepter and sword occupy
ing stools.
On the right of the throne We're men,
bers of the royal family and on the
left were the Indian Princes from the
Dutch possessions. AS the procession
of the Queen mother entered the
church, the assembly arose and re-
mained standing. The Queen mother
wore a low w-necked dress of light mauve
color, trimmed with lace and covered
with pearls On her head was a
splendid tiara and on her breast were
displayed the insignia of the Dutch or
ders. The maids of honor and the
ladies' in waiting were dressed in beau
tiful costumes, blazing with diamonds
They followed the Queen mother, who
took up a position on the left of the
throne, but who remained standing un-
til the arrival of her daughter, the
sovereign.
Suddenly the King-of- farms. from the
portal of the church, heralded the ar
rival of Queen Wilhelmina. who en-
tered the building. escorted by train
of Generals, each bearing an en-
blazoned banner.
The choir. which included the great
est artists of Holland, sang 'Wilhel-
minus Van Nassauwe'
The Queen. looking very we'll in her
robes of state, bowed from side to side
as she passed on to the throne, and
reaching it, she turned and again
bowed and took her seat A moment
later her majesty arose and In a clear
and perfectly calm voice spoke as fol-
lows
Gentlemen of the States General:
Since the death of my ever -lamented
father, and until I have completed my
eighteenth year. the Government has
been in the hands of my mother I
have now assumed the government.
and I have issued a proclamation to
my we'll beloved people The hour has
now arrived when, amid the faithful
States General and invocating the holy
name of God. I shall pledge myself to
the people of the Netherlands to main
tain their rights and privileges