The Washington herald., 1911-06-23

gentlemen bore canopy behind her, and
they were followed by four duchesses
AS the Queen walked east from the altar
to take her seat on the throne to the
Kings left, but two steps lower on the
dais, the King arose, holding scepter
in either hand. With the scepter In her
right hand, the Queen walked slowly and
stately. Six white clad train-bearers held
her train and apparently took on all
the weight from close up to the shoulders
to the very end of its eighteen feet OF
magnifcence. But as her majesty as
oended the three shallow steps to the
throne the enormous weight with which
the train and gown pressed upon her could
be seen. She went up like a little child,
slowly and getting both feet on the same
step before ascending the next one.
Their majesties then descended from
the dais and advanced, attended by
giittering throng astbefore, to the altar,
where they handed over the scepters and
crowns and made obligations according
to the ritual in the service. They then
partook of holy communion. The full
ritual was then completed. The choir
sang the Gloria" and the Archbishop
Of Canterbury pronounced the benedic-
ton. The choir sang the 'Te Deum."
Advance to Altar.
Meanwhile their majesties, who had re-
seated themselves on their thrones, de-
scended and advanced again to the altar.
They passed by different doors into st.
Edwards Chapel. the regalia which had
been lying on the altar being returned
to their former bearers. Standing before
the altar of the chapel. the King delivered
the scepter and dove to the archbishop,
who then laid It on the altar.
The King was then robed in purple vel
vet, and with the crown on his head. the
orb in his left hand and the scepter and
cross in his right. the Queen carrying
both scepters, passed through the choir
attended as on the entrance, but with the
order OF procession reversed. The band
played and the choir sang the national
anthem as their majesties proceeded to
the west entrance to go forth to the en-
thusiastic plaudits Of their people.
So with prayer and benediction the
tirne-honored ceremonial was performed
of the crowning and sacring of a King
who holds office by Gods Ordinance
as the head OF both church and state.
A dinner party at Buckingham Palace
closed the sovereigns' eventful day. 1t
was a quiet affair compared with the
state banquets earlier IN this week. The
guests were the members of foreign
royal families who are actually staying
at Buckingham Palace. including the
nearer relatives of the King and Queen.
Forty covers were laid.
Some Come by Boat.
A mild revival OF the use Of the
Thames as a fashionable waterway was
an incident Of the early day. The Duke
of Norfolk, the earl marshal conceived
the idea of enabling the peers and peer
esses living in the Chelsea district to
travel by the river to the abbey, not in
a gIoriously bedecked barge propelled by
banks of oars in the hands of liveried
boatmen. which was medieval feature
of the river, but in steamboat such as
plies from pier to pier to pick up penny
fares.
The experiment might have been sue
cessful in windless sunshine, but the
gale to-day played havoc with the coro-
nets ermine crimson robes, tiaras, and
tresses of the 200 peers and peeresses
who availed themselves Of the oppor-
tunity, to the huge delight Of thousands
of irreverent riverside onlookers who
watched the frantic attempts Of the voy-
ayers to preserve their fineries until
they were driven in evaporation to the
stuffy cabin below.
] Field Marshal Lord Kitchener nearly
lost his bediamonded insignia while rid
ing In the procession. 1t became
drenched and dropped from his breast
Into his riding boot. He was unaware
of this until near the end Of the cere-
mony in the abbey, when he felt a
pricking in his leg.
Queen Alexandra attended the corona
ton service at Sandringham. Otherwise
she took no part in the coronation pub
licly.
The court officials authorize the state
ment that the King and Queen did not
suffer from undue fatigue after the long
ceremonial They were delighted with
their popular reception in the streets.
Tomorrow will be the Prince OF
Wales birthday. and a host of gifts
awaits him. The most valued one VIII
be a horse from his father.