Evening star., 1934-02-23
World Leaders Participate
in EnthrOnement Rites Free
From Any Disorder.
NEW MONARCH is GRIM
DURING CEREMONIES
Queen Mother Unable to Attend.
Brussels in Merry Mood as
Mourning Is Suspended.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
BRUSSELS, February PA new
King of the Belgians, Leopold, III,
was enthroned today when the for
mer crown prince took the oath to
defend the constitution before both
houses of Parliament.
He officially became King. succeed
ing his father, the late Albert, I, at
the conclusion of the reciting of the
oath at IL o'clock this morning.
The 32-year-old monarch spoke the
brief oath in French and repeated it
in Flemish before the legislators and
assembled dignitaries.
splendid array Of foreign repre-
sentatiyes and diplomats in the law
shly decorated Chamber of Deputies,
cheered the new ruler with the same
enthusiasm as did thousands of peo-
pie who watched him on his ride to
Parliament from the royal castle at
Suburban Laeken.
Hailed by Thousands.
Thousands of Belgians ecstactically
shouting 'vive lie Roi" and, waving
flags and handkerchiefs, hailed Leo
pold III on his triumphant ride
Some sections along the brilliant
route showed less enthusiasm than
others. but there were no organized
counter manifestations.
Scattered anti-royalist elements
among the crowds which pressed in
solid, cheering, pushing throng along
the streets we're drowned out in the
roar Of acclaim. For the most part
Brussels was in a merry mood.
Leopold, himself, was serious and
even grim as he saluted his subjects.
Dressed for the first time in the
full regalia Of lieutenant general
and wearing white gloves, he rode a
brown horse, as did the entire gall
liant company. He was a striking fig
ure as he dismounted to be greeted
by special delegation and escorted
to the special throne erected In the
chamber.
After the swearing-in ceremony. the
accession of Leopold III to the throne
was announced to the waiting thou
sands outside by trumpeters. They
sounded a fanfare from the steps Of
Lie fdIlldIuGuI
Great Cheer Greets King.
A great cheer went up from the
multitudes when the King emerged.
Amid shouts of acclamation, he re-
mounted his horse and headed the
procession, which moved through the
streets Of Brussels to the Royal Pal
ace in the same order as it had come
from Laeken.
Queen Astrid, because Of the fact
she is expecting the birth of a child.
did not participate in the procession
from the Royal Castle. She was
borne by motor directly to the Parlia-
ment Building. There she had been
escorted to her throne when Leopold
entered the chamber.
The new Queen, clasping both her
children by the hands, entered the
royal carriage after Leopold had taken
his place.
Then the mother, the little 3year-
old Crown Prince Baudoin and his
6-year-old sister. Princess Josephine
Charlotte, followed the procession
back to the palace.
The scene within the chamber as
the King took the oath was deeply
impressive. AS he concluded, the
whole aSsemblage rose.
Queen Acknowledges Cheer.
Mingled with outbursts of cheering
we're shouts of "Vivi lie Roi" and
"Vive Ia Refine" The Queen asknowl-
edged the cheering. She waved her
hand to the crowded chamber.
The Queen mother, the widowed
Queen Elizabeth, was not present at
the historic ceremony.
Two Communist members Of the
Chamber of Deputies remained seated.
These two, who yesterday engaged in
fistic exchange with Socialist
deputies in the Chamber, emitted a
series of discordant yells.
Their best efforts we're drowned in
the ovation, which lasted full five
to six minutes. The Communists
were not heard except by those who
we're nearest them.
Queen Astrid presented a charming
picture as she sat upon the platform
with the two small children. She
wore deep black. relieved only by
beautiful necklace of pearls. The
children were dressed in white.
Cabinet ministers, dignitaries OF
state and foreign Kings and princes
and other foreign notables occupied a
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