Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-06-22
TOday's Telegraphic News
Growing of Haakon VII.

Cathedral. NO attempt was mace 10
initiate the picturesque coronation cere-
mony of the old Viking kings. Every
thing was carried out with the utmost
simplicity, in this respect resembling
more closely the inauguration of an
American President than a royal pa
geant.
Thousands of tourists from all parts
of Europe have oeen hocking into the
city during the last twenty.four hours,
and this morning it was almost impOssi-
bic to move through the streets, so dense
was the throng.
Sweden refused TO accept invitations
for its representatives. The Swedish
government informed the authorities at
Christiana that its action must not be
taken as in any way unfriendly to the
new kingdom, but was dictated solely
by the personal desire OF King Oscar not
to give his sanction to the coronation OF
his successor. This conduct of the
swedish government has caused rather
hard feeling in Norway aud will not be
forgotten soon. The city was prettily
dec )rated today with flags and bunting
and artificial flowers, but the most strlk-
ing part of the decorative scheme was
that carried out by the warships in the
harbOr.
The procession TO the church was
very simple and not at all Impressive.
There were simply the king and queen,
court officials aud a small escort in the
show.
The King and Queen left the Stifts-
gard, the royal residence, and the
largest wooden building in Norway, and
drove in a state carriage about II half
mile long he Munke Garden to the
cathedral.
The little street was densely packed
with people who cheered enthusiastically
as their majestes passed along.
There were five carriages in the pro-
cession. The first four, drawn by two
horses each, contained officials. Then
came the royal escort of cavalry, cadets,
aud after them rode the King and Qaeen
in a four-horse coach of black and gold,
surrounded by a golden crown.
The royal couple we're escorted up the
cathedral steps aud entered the church
to the strains of a coronation march
especially composed by Ole 0lsen,
musical director of the Norwegian army.
he procession, headed by the bishops
and priests, then the King and Queen,
accompanied by their suites, including
Chief Chamberlain Rustad, and the
Queens principal attendants, proceeded
toward the altar. The ecclesiastics as.
cended the altar, while King Haakon
and Queen Maud went to an elevated
space lder the main tower in the
centre of the church, where their thrones
had been placed in the midst Of decora'
tons of red velvet embroidered with
gold
As the King and Queen entered the
church the congregation arose and re-
manned standing until the royal pair
reached the nave,
The coronation ceremony, which lasted
one hour, then began. 1t was more
like a religious service than regal state
affair.
After a coronation sermon by Bishop
Bang, and the singing of several Nor
wegian hymns by the choir and con
gregatiOn, King HaakOn, accompanied
by his aides, and preceded by the chief
chamberlain and a standard bearer,
who carried the state flag, walked to
the altar, where Bishop Wexelsen an
nointed him on the forehead and wrists.
The prayers in connection with this
part of the ceremony were similar to
those used In the coronation of King
Oscar IL, in 1872, although more simple
state symbols were used.
Premier Michelnen and Bishop Wexel
sen took the crown from the altar and
placed it on Haakon's head; Foreign
Minister LOyeland handel him the
sceptre, and Minister Of Commerce
ArctanIer presented the slate orb Gen
eral Gssen then presented drawn sword
to the King.
A special prayer was said IN connec-
ton with the presentation of each article
to Haakon
Chief Justice Lochen placed the royal
robe over the Kings shoulders. The
procession then reformed and Haakon
wearing the crown, and carrying the
sceptre in his right hand, and the orb
in ais left walked slowly back to the
throne in the centre Of the church. The
sword was handed back to War Minister
OLSEN. In this procession it was
carried behind the King with the state
banner.
The coronation of Queen Maud was
then carried out with the same cere-
mOny, with the exception of presenting |
3 state sword to her. As the queen |
stepped from the altar her train was car
Iisd by cadets rom the army and navy. |
At the conclusion OF this ceremony |
Herr Bender OF the Storthing announced |
hat the coronation had been successful
y performed.
This evening King Hsakon gives a
banquet to 400 guests, including the
ipecia ambassadors to the coronation.
Tomorrow afternoon a concert will be
.iven in the National Theatre for the
Kings guests and on Sunday there will
De a childrens parade to the royal resi-
lence On Tuesday and Wednesday of
next week there will be a series of ban
Iuets and receptions, and on Wednes-
lay King Haakon will leave for Chris
iania. A royal hunting lodge costing
40 900 will be presented to the king