, 1901-01-24
Connaught and lesser members Of the
royal family.
The Kings Formal Oath.

The Kings Formal Oath.
Lord Salisbury, Lord R~oseburry, Al.
Balfour, the duke of Devonshire, Lord
Strathcona and Mount Royal and a host
Of the most prominent ~personages in
the land were there to receive the
kings formal oath, binding him to gov
ern the kingdom according to its laws
and customs, and hear him assume the
title of King Edward VII Of Great
Britain and Ireland and emperor of In
dia. The ceremony was interesting
and according to precedent. The king
was in a separate apartment from the
privy councillors. To the latter the
duke of Devonshire, lord president of
the council, formally communicated
the death of Queen Victoria and the
succession to the throne of her son, the
prince of Wales. The royal dukes, with
certain lords of the council, were then
directed to repair to the kings pres
ence to acquaint him with the terms of
the lord presidents statement. Short
ly afterward his majesty entered the
room in which the councillors were as
sembled and addressed them in a brief
speech. The lord chancellor (Lord
Halsbury) then administered the oath
of the king.
Afterward the various members of
the council, commencing with lords in
council, took the oath of allegiance and
then passed in turn before his majesty.
as at a levee, excepting that each paus-
ed and kissed the kings hand before
passing out OF the chamber. This
brought the ceremony to a close.
By $3.50 p. m, when his majesty re-
turned to Marlborough house, the
crowd in the neighborhood was of i'm
mems proportions. The kings prior
journey was accomplished in almost
complete silence, but on this occasion
he was Justify cheered all along the line
of route.
Immediately opposite Marlborough
house gates a tall gentleman in from.
of the crowd waved his hat and shout.
ed: Long live the king" w%hereupon
the crowd cheered with redoubled Wig
or.
The king, at the accession ceremony
wore a military uniform. His brief
speech was delivered with great earn
estness and was quite extemporaneous.
1t is expected it will be published later
in official form.
At the last moment the king decided
not to attend the house of lords today.
The proclamation of the ascension of
his majesty was signed by the Z. inces
present. the duke of York first. then the
duke Of Connaught, the duke of Cam
bridge, Prince Christian, the archbish-
op of Canterbury, the lord chancellor,
the lord mayor and the other represen-
tatives of the city of London.
At 4:3O p. m. the artillery began fir
ing salutes in St. James park to signal
ize King Edwards ascension to the
throne.
Among the incidents of the day was
an imposing civic procession. The lord
mayor and aldermen, accompanied by
the city marchal, mace-bearer and 9TH
er members of the corporation, escort
ed by a strong body of police, pro-
ceeded from the Mansion house by way
of the Thames embankment and Traf-
alger square to St. James palace in
gilded equipages with l~iveried outrid-
ers, including twenty semi-state car
riages, making a notable picture,
which was witnessed by thousands
along the route.
This afternoon the house Of com
mons took the oath of allegiance after
Speaker Gully had announced the
death of the queen.