The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-23
WOMEN WEEP AS KING IS CROWNED GrizzIed Premier Nicholson Places Grown on Has,sr VII KING GRlv9, ,;s DIGN.F|ED This In Spi,s of the Fact That the Crown Was Too Large and Slip
 ped Down Over His

Trondhiem, June 22-With noble cere- mony King Haakon VII and Queen Maud today were invested with tho crowns of Norway. The time and circumstances. and memory, gave the occasion a peculiar solemnity that produced an impressive monotone throughout the proceedings.
 The short white night through which quiet reigned, merged into cold sunless day, and scarcely sound save the tramp of soldiers, the roll of carriage wheels, and occasional shouts, broke the silence until the bells announced that the royal family had left the palace. Already the ancient cathedral, lighted by festoons of electric globes that were dim In the pale daylight, was thronged with a brilliant company.
 Representative Norwegians. visiting princes and princesses. noblemen, diplo- mats and officers of the armies and naves of the world occupied the front benches.
 Premier's Face Shows Care.
 At the head of the aisle within which stood the throne facing the high altar, sat todays great man of Norway, Michel sen, in company with the grizzled states men forming his historic cabinet. Strength, determination and care were written on the premier's face, for Michel sen had decided for a kingdom against republic. Indeed he largely made the new kingdom, and avowedly against the boast of "heraldry and the pomp of power.'
 At exactly Il o'clock the members of the cabinet and clergyman from all parts of Norway marched down the long aisle to await the King and Queen in the pavilion at the entrance Ten minutes later while shaft of light shot through the cathe- dral as the great portal was thrown open, tho organ began to pou3. f tn the weird strains. The vast audience rose to recevs the youthful soverelgns who marched slowly down the long naive under the red and gold of the royal banner After the soveregns had taken their places the clergy disposed themselves in a seml-cir- cle around the altar.
 King Jolns In Singing.
 Led by the organ, orchestra and choir the audience sang a melody that might have been written for a saerifical rite of the Norseman's ancient barbaric faith. The King with printed programme in his hand joined in the singing. After the recitation of the confession and te deum, the Bishop of Christana mounted the pulpit, following the King and delivered an impressive sermon through which ran a clear note of courage and happiness.
 After the sermon King Haakon preceded by the chief of the royal household walk ed to the throne. He was grave and dig nified His long purple and ermine robe was borne by five young naval officers, and he presented kingly enough ap- pearance Beside him walked his military staff, one bearing the royal standard, d medieval picture in strange contrast to the dress coats and vari-colored toilettes of the assemblage
 After anointment and prayer the crown was placed on the head of the King by Premier Mchelsen. An impressive pause ensued during which one felt the strange ness of the contrast between the young monarch and the gray-bearded statesman who might have made himself the repub- lies president
 Women Wept and Men Were Moved.
 King Haakon walked down the aisle wearing the crown and bearing the sceptre and orb women wept and men seemed strangely moved.
 Once more the orchestra and choir broke into music and Queen Maud accompanied by one lady-in- waiting and three maids of honor, advanced with slightly hestating steps toward the throne. She wore a robe of gold moire embroidered with silver and pearls A collar of diamonds was her only ornament. The crowning ceremony having been completed. Queen Maud returned to her seat, lowing to the people on either side Then the white-haired bishop of Bergen announced the benediction and the |. steps of the throne, proclaimed the com pletion of the ceremony.
 Besides the special embassy from the United States and MT. and Mrs. ". J. Bryan, the Americans present included Mrs Marshall Field and Mrs Eddy and Miss Eddy of Chicago; William Wheatly and wife, Mrs. Slater and Miss Gwynn of Washington, and the Norwegian-American delegation.
 King Haakon presented Special Ambas- sador Graves and Mrs. Graves with silver medals struck in honor of the corona ton.
 Ceremony Striking and Solemn.
 The ceremony of crownng King Haakon and Queen Maud was striking and solemn in it's impressiveness. There was no att tempt at decoration to mar the granite grandeur of the background furnished by the noble cathedral The gray light of cloudy day fell aslant from the upper windows upon two red-gold canopied thrones, raised against the futed columns in the center of the nave. while the white and gray bunting used to cover the unfinished portions of the buildings was scarcely apparent in the soft shadows of the long nave. Their majestes looked exceedingly well and took lively Interest in every part of the impressive cere- mony.
 King Haakon joined in singing the hymns, and closely followed the printed liberatto of the orchestra choir, which gave a splendid interpretation of Halvor- sens characteristic Norwegian hymns.
 Crown Is Too Large.
 Nothing occurred throughout the cere- mony to cause the principal participants the slightest uneasiness. The King with soldierly bearing marched erect and with out a smile through the long choir to the throne before the altar in the apse The crown, although reduced in size since 1t was used by King Oscar, proved too large for King Haakon. and failed to con- fer dignity on the monarch, but he main tained his composure despite the fact that the crown continued to fall over his ears.
 Queen Maud looked attractive in her