The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-22
BY CHARLES N. LURE.

|.
England mean the imme-
" date accession OF a full
A@~ fiedged ruler, or is the new
sovereign not invested with his full
dignity until he is crowned king in
Westminster abbey?" is a question
which was asked frequently by
Americans when Queen Victoria died
and was revived when King George V.
came recently to his throne. In answer
1t may be said briefly that the king
OF England never dies" that the death
Of one possessor of the crown invests
his heir Immediately with all the dig
mites, honOrs and privileges, together
with the duties. that have accumulated
for the holder Of the title in eight cen
turtles and more The passing OF
king is known legally as "the demise
OF the crown"-that is. the crown
passes, but its wearer never passes
away. Thus. when King Edward
breathed his last in the presence OF
his family, among whom was, OF
course. his only surviving son, the
Prince OF Wales, England at that mo-
ment came into possession OF a new
king. No formal notification was
necessary. but II may be assumed that
the new monarch's subjects present at
King Edwards death paid homage.
immediate. II sorrowful, TO King
George Y.
A really important feature Of the ac-
cession Of a new king and one that
overshadows the coronation in its bear
ing on the affairs OF the great British
pressiveness, is the taking OF the oath
OF allegiance by the privy council and
the address OF the new king 10 the
council. In Il he promises 10 govern
the empire in accordance with coasti-
tutional requirements and limitations
That does not make him king-it Is his
right Of birth that gives him the title
but Il fixes his place in the scheme
OF government Of the British islands
and the colonies.
The Oath of Allegiance.
The councillors oath OF allegiance is
a curious and interesting survival Of
ancient phraseology. In Il they with
one voice and the consent OF tongue
and heart publish and proclaim that
the high and mighty Prince George IS
now. by the death OF our late sovereign
OF happy memory. become our only
lawful and rightful liege lord. George
V. by the grace Of God, king OF the
United Kingdom OF Great Britain and
Ireland. defender OF the faith and en-
perOr OF India. 10 whom we do &C
knowledge all faith and constant ODE
dience. with all hearty and humble af-
lection, beseeching God, by whom
kings and queens do reign. 70 bless the
royal prince George V. with long and
happy years to reign over us"
After the proclamation the new king
addressed the council and promised TO
reign as constitutional sovereign.
Then the king issued a proclamation
requiring all officers 70 proceed with
their regular duties. The aldermen Of
London also swore allegiance at the
meeting Of the councillors.
Another very interesting II not very
important ceremonial that follows
Immediately upon the death OF a
British sovereign Is the proclamation
throughout the kingdom Of his success
sor. From the steps Of the Royal Ex-
change in London the crowd was off,
cially informed Of n fact that they al
ready knew through newspapers and
mouth 10 mouth reports-that their
king was dead and another reigned in
his place. After the meeting OF the
privy councillors with the king other
formal proclamations Of the sort were
made by hcralds and their pursuivants.
with the usual accomplishments Of fan
fares Of trumpcts. I'm the quadrangle
OF buckingham palace and repeated
In Charing Cross Temple Bar and
Cheapside. Similar scenes were en-
acted throughout Great Britain and
Ireland
The wording Of the proclamation Of
the new king in London was as fol-
lows.
Whereas It has pleased Almighty
God TO call 20 his mercy our late SOW
ereign lord King Edward. Of blessed
and glorious memory. by whose de-
cease the imperial crown of the
United Kingdom Of Great Britain and
Ireland is solely and rightfullv come
20 the high and mighty prince George
Frederick. we therefore. the lords
spiritual and temporal Of this realm.
being here assembled with these Of
his late majesty's privy council. with
numbers Of other principal gentlemen
Of quality. with the lord mayor alder
men and citizens Of London. do now
hereby. with one voice and consent OF
tongue and heart publish and pro-
claim that the high and mighty prince
George Frederick is now. by the death
OF our late sovereign OF happy mem
DRY, become our only lawful and right
ful lieRe lord George V. by the grace
Of God king Of the United Kingdom
OF Great Britain and Ireland. defender
OF the faith, emperor Of India, TO
whom we do acknowledge all faith and
constant obedience, with all hearty
and humble affection beseeching God.
by whom kings and queens do reign, /
20 bless the royal prince George V.