The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-02-15
SPECTACULAR PROCESSION.


LONDON. Feb. 1.-THE first parlia-
ment of the reign Of King Edward
VII. was opened this afternoon by
the king In person. The last state
ceremony Of the kind occurred Ia 1861.
when Queen Victoria opened parliament
accompanied by the prince consort, and
since the death OF the latter nothing
equal to tOday's pOmp has been WITT
messed in London in connection with
the opening Of the legislature.
Not since the wedding Of the then
Prince of Wales and Princess Alexan-
dra has the gorgeous state coach used
today beer seen in the streets Of the
capital. In this coach today the king
and queen rode from Buckingham pail
ace to Westminster. The route of the
royal party. which lay through the
Mall, the Horse Guards parade, White
hall and parliament was guarded by
10000 soldiers. Thousands Of London
ers packed ST. James Park. borderel
the route Of the procession and filled
windows, stands and roofs. The cortege
was short, but spectacular. The royal
coach, drawn by eight famous cream
colored Hanoverlans with positions in
red and gold liveries, and footmen
leading the horses. which were covered
with trappings Of morocco and gilt,
was preceded and followed by life
guards in full uniform, with silver
breastplates and red plumed helmets,
and a small escort OF gentlemen-at-
arms in historic costumes, immediate
ly surrounded the vehicle
Five carriages Of state, containing
uniformed officials and ladies of the
household, each drawn by six horses.
with positions and outri1ers, led the
procession. Next came the massive
state chariot, the occupants of which
could be plainly seen through the
plate-g windows, the king, who was
in full uniform, saluting constantly,
and the queen bowling on all sides.
The procession speedily traversed the
short route to the 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 assem-
bled in order to receive their majes-
ties.
Upon the king and queen alighting
from their carriage the procession was
quickly formed, and proceeded to the
robing-room. The diminutive chamber
was filled to its capacity by the high
est and noblest of the kingdom. the
greater part of the floor space being
occupied by peeresses and other ladies
introduced by peers. The United States
Joseph r, Choate, and the
other ambassadors occupied special
lnclosure behind the bench of the bish-
ops.
AS soon as his majesty was enthroned, |
the lord chamberlain received the roy
Al command to summon the members
of the house Of commons to hear the
speech from the throne The only men,
oers of the house of commons not wear
ng mourning were three Nationalists,
Prior to the reading of the speech the
King took the oath. The assemblage |
stood while the speech was read. The
Kings speech contained nothing but a
'esume of conditions in various parts
II the realm save the statement that
he Duke of Cornwall and York viii
'isit Australia, New Zealand and can
Ida In the near future.
The king wore a field marshals cha
,eau when he read his speech. His
'oice was clear and firm. After the
'eading of the speech the procession
vas reformed, the king proceeded to
he roblng-room, unrobed and left