New-York tribune., 1901-01-26
PRIVATE FUNERAL OF QUEEN
FAMILY TAKE THE LAST LOOK OF THE
FACE OF ENGLAND'S GREAT RULER
SIMPLE SERVICES AT OSBORNE.

ana SOlemnty Sucn as seldom marx the passing
from daylight into the darkness of the coffin,
the royal family to-day took their last loving
look at the features of the dead Queen. About
10 O'Clock in the morning the coffin was brought
into the bedroom. where waiting King
Edward, Emperor William the Duke of Con
naught Sir James Reid and the royal ladies.
The latter having retired, Sir James Reid with
reverent hands. assisted by three trusted house
hold servants. and in the presence of the King.
the Emperor and the Duke removed the body
from the bed to the coffin.
In death il was loveer than in the closing
days Of life. Not a trace of the ravages of dis
ease was visible. The servants having retired,
Queen Alexandra the Princesses and the chill
dren were recalled. and with lingering steps and
stifled sobs they passed slowly before the white
robed and peaceful figure. At the foot, never
moving. stood the King. and when they had
passed there remained only the son and grand
son of the dead. Emperor William Wept even
more bitterly than the royal ladies. Finally ne
also retired. and the King left alone. Sir
James Reid Reckoning to the servants with the
coffin lid. asked the Kings instructions.
For few seconds the King stood speechless.
stricken with emotion the last farewell. Then
he said quickly. "Close it finally. 1t must not
be opened again"
Thus the body of Engand's great ruler was
forever closed from human view. Reverenty
the coffin borne into the dining room. OH
GERS and men from the royal yachts took their
stand around the coffin, which the King
Queen and Kaiser gently laid the robes of a
knight of the Garter placing at the head a
diamond crown. Beneath lay the royal ensign
while hanging above was the Union Jack.
At the altar was the rector of Whippingham
who read a portion of the funeral service in the
presence of the royal family. Emperor William
covered his face with his hands, and the grief
of Princess Beatrice was pitiful. After the bene-
diction each placed wreath upon the coffin
and then all retired
The correspondent of The Associated Press is
informed that the Queens will has not been
opened. and that according to present arrange
ments 1t will not be opened until after the
funeral. its details being unknown to the royal
family. There is no truth in the statement that
King Edward and Emperor William knelt by the
bedside of the Queen and swore to preserve
peace
A significant feature of all the deathbed scenes
has been their absolute naturalness and the alb
sence of false or dramatic elements.
According to a rumor circulating at Osborne
King Edward desires himself TO be styled His
Imperial Majesty. in order to emphasize the fact
that he is Emperor well as King.
Tomorrow the local volunteers and the forces
in the vicinity will pass through the Chapelle
ents of the leading newspapers OF the world.
remarkable feature of all the proceedings Is
the intense martial air which peryades them
The naval parade off Spithead is to be the great
est. If possible. the world saw, and the
military arrangements at Windsor viii eclipse
anything of the kind ever attempted.
Tonight grenadiers mounting their silen;
guard over the coffin. with guns reversed. arms
crossed and heads bent. The silence is unbroken
save by an occasional shuttle from the soldiers
in changing their uneasy position.
1t has been decided that there will be no pub
lie lying in state. The arrangements for the
funeral are gradually evolving. The body Of the
Queen will be taken TO Portsmouth on board the
royal yacht Alberta, and viii remain the
boat Friday night, February !.
The Imperial German yacht Hohenzollern. es-
corted by the third class cruiser Nymphe, was
signalled this afternoon at Dover The yacht
will come to Cowes and the cruiser will proceed
TO Portsmouth
The Marquis of Lansdowne Secretary OF State
for Foreign Affairs, came TO Osborne to-day by
special command of the King. He will be pre-
sented to Emperor William.
Contrary TO expectation, Crown Prince Fred
erick William of Germany will not come to Eng
land on the royal yacht Hohenzollern, but will
arrive tomorrow.
Potsdam. Jan. 25.-Crown Prince Friedrich
Wilhelm, accompanied by Colonel Pritzelwitz,
started for England at 1875 o'clock this morn
ing. by way of Flushing.