Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-15
PARLIAMENT OPENS.
Ceremonies Conducted by King
Edward VII in Person.
Thousands Of People Witness Grand
Procession Through London.
Highest and Noblesi in Kingdom Listen 10 the
Kings Speech.

London. Feb. 1.-THE first Parlia-
ment Of the reign Of King Edward VII
was opened. Thursday afternoon, by
the King in person. His Majesty was
accompanied by Queen Alexandra, the
/ Duke Of York and Cornwall. the Duke
Of connaught ana many others OF the
royal family.
1 The last state ceremony of the King
| occurred in 1861. when Queen Victoria
| Opend Parliament, accompanied by the
| prince consort. Since the death Of the
| prince consort nothing equal to Thurs
| days pomp has been witnessed in Lon
| don in connection with the opening of
| the Legislature. Not since the we'd
ding Of the Prince Of Wales and Prin-
| cess Alexandra of Denmark has the
gorgeous state coach used, Thursday.
| been seen in the streets of the Capital.
| In this coach the King and Queen and
| Princess Victoria rode from Bucking-
| ham palace to the palace of WeStmins-
| ter.
| The route Of the royal party which
| lay through the Mall. the Horse Guards
parade, Whitehall and Parliament
street. was guarded by 5000 soldiers.
st. James park was densely packed.
| The long steps below Carlton house
| terrace We're a solid mass Of people.
| The procession moved through a sea Of
heads and a continuous glitter of red
| ana gilt.
! In the meantime. the Horse Guards.
with two mounted bands, arrived and
| formed in line from the palace entrance
| to the principal gate. The members Of
the royal family drove out in plain two
horse coaches. with two footmen.
| ha civ hle
the Household appeared. the Horse
Guards mounted bands struck up God
Save the King" the people uncovered.
the state coach rolled out of the arch
way in the center Of the palace and
was greeted with a roar Of cheering.
| The heroes of the crowd We're the
members Of Strathconas Horse Cana
dian Volunteers, just returned from
South Africa. They alghted in front
Of the palace and marched down the
| line to a position a short distance from
| the palace. where they We're drawn up
while the procession passed. The King
saluted them most cordially and the
people cheered them repeatedly.
| From buckingham palace to the
! House Of Lords the procession pro-
| eceded without Il hitch at a walking
| pace The cortege was short but spec
tacular. The royal coach. drawn by
| eight famous cream colored Hanover
! ians. with postillions in red and gold
IliVeries and footmen leading the horses
| which We're covered with trappings of
morocco and gilt, was preceded and
/ followed by Life Guards in full uni
form with silver breast plates and red
| plumed helmets and a small escort of
gentlemen-a in historic cos
tunes Immediately surrounded the
vehicle.
| Five carriages Of state containing
uniformed officials and ladies Of the
| household each drawn by six horses
| with postillions and out riders led the
procession. Next came the massive
| state chariot, the occupants of which
could be plainly seen through the plate
glass windows, the King. who was in
| full uniform sauting constantly and
| the Queen bowling on all sides.
| The procession speedy traVerSed the
| short route to an accompaniment Of
| roars and shouts and reached the royal
entrance to the palace of Westminster.
| beneath the Victoria tower, at the ap-
| pointed time.
There the great officers Of state and
the others who were to take part in the
| ceremony had assembled in order to re
ceive their Majesties Upon the King
and Queen alighting from the state
| carriage the procession was quickly
| formed and proceeded to the robinS
room in the following order
Pursuivants, heralds, the Kings
CONTINUED on page 2)