The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-23
GREAT FUNERAL
FOR CAMBRIDGE
Thousands Mourn Death of
Popular Duke
KING is CHIEF M0URNER
An Array of British Troops Takes
Part Such as Is Seldom
Seen on London's
Streets.
KING IS CHIEF MOURNER

London, March 22-The Duke of Cam
bridge was buried today after funeral
such as had been accorded to no
English soldier since the death of the
Duke of Wellington. King Edward,
Queen Alexandra and nearly all the men,
bers of the royal family, representatives
of foreign monarchies, majority of the
nobility, the diplomatic corps and repre-
sentative British subjects in all walks OF
life attended the impressive national ser-
vice at Westminster abbey. Thereafter
the body of the old duke" as he was
affectionally known to the public, was
taken to Kensalgreene cemetery and
buried beside that of his wife,
Thousands of troops marched through
and lined the streets and dense crowds
watched the spectacle which in military
magnifcence rivalled the funeral of
Queen Victoria.
The king, wearing field marshals uni
form, and the queen, in the deepest
mourning drove from Buckingham pal
ace to the abbey shortly before Il o'clock.
The crowds uncovered in silence and
the troops reversed arms on their ar
rival
The Abbey was then packed with dip
lomatists, privy counsellors and army Of
ficers all in gorgeous uniforms. The king
walked up the aisle which was lined by
grenadiers their BUSHES bent low over
the reversed arms, and took his place as
chief mourner at the head of the coffin.
Stood Behind King.
Tho Io,fnoo - xuo1ac tLa TA,,Ixo (sor
naught and the other princes stood be-
hind him. Prince Albrecht of Prussia rep
resented Emperor William, while from
the United States embassy, Ambassador
Choate and the military attache, Major
| Beacon, were present
Among the principal mourners were
Admiral and Colonel Fftzgeorge the late
dukes son. On the other side of the
coffin stood five field marshals. VOLS
sley, Haines. Roberts, Norman and
Wood, who with a score of famous brig
adler generals, acted as pail bearers. In
corner of the Abbey stood a number o!
veterans who had fought with the Duke
of Cambridge in the Crimea. Every
branch of the army and of the volunteers
was represented.
The dean of Westminster read the SER
vice and dirge, which had not been
played since the funeral of Queen Mary
IL echoed through the Abbey.
The norroy king of arms civilian
Henry Weldon hoarsely proclaimed the
full titles of the dead man, eight grena-
diers lifted the coffin and the king walk
ed behind It, followed by throng of Of
ficers in crimson and gold uniforms.
Thousands Stood Outside.
In the bright sunshine the thousands of
people outside the abbey watched the
coffin being placed on the gun carriage.
The old dukes charger. with stirrups re-
versed followed his master to the grave.
The king, princes, ambassadors and
generals entered twenty-one carriages
and started on the long journey to the
cemetery. Ahead of the gun carriage
was an array of British troops seldom
seen in the streets of London. Life
Guard, lancers. grenadiers. hussars, dra-
goons and Highlanders with their bands,
marched through a lane of brilliant color
formed by the infantry lining the route.
Behind these the spectators formed a
continuous background.
Curassiers, plumes, swords and lances
sparkled in the sun that had been seldom
seen of late by the inhabitants of tho
metropolis.
Nearly two and a half hours elapsed
before the cortege reached the cemetery,
from which the public had been excluded.
The king and others stood by the grave
side while a squad of grenadiers fired
three volleys for their old field marshal,
and the funeral came to an end.
Throughout the city all flags were half
masted and many people were in mourn
ing,