It appeared to me that the Parisians were the more pleased at the “incognito,” as it was as if their Majesties came as friends, and not merely as Royal visitors. The visit was thus less formal yet more cordial; everyone felt that it was not political, but just friendly, and Paris was delighted. The British sovereigns were going to spend a week of pleasure, visiting and entertaining their friends, shopping and motoring. The Rue de la Paix is always attractive, but it seemed to surpass itself on this occasion.
I was naturally very busy preparing for the Sunday service. Tickets were quite necessary, and the demand for them very great. We issued 1,000—our utmost limit—and then came the pain of refusing the hundreds who also desired to attend. I crave pardon for giving the report of the service, written by my friend Mr. Ozane, the well-known and valued correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.”
He wrote: “I have never seen a larger crowd in and near the church in the Rue d’Aguesseau than that which assembled there this morning. Admission to the sacred edifice was by cards, of which a liberal distribution was made, but any number of persons who must have known that the chance of finding a place was hopeless, had put in an appearance nevertheless. The English colony had mustered in full force, and there was a big gathering of French friends as well. The footpaths close to the Embassy and along the street leading to the Church were crammed with well-dressed people—the fair sex being strongly represented; and there they stood in the brilliant sunshine, but bitterly cold wind, waiting for their Majesties to pass. The King and Queen drove to and from the Church in one of the Ambassador’s carriages, and with Sir Francis Bertie and members of their suite were conducted to the Embassy Gallery. By the time they entered the Church was thronged to repletion, all the arrangements made for the accommodation of the congregation being, however, excellent. The prayers were read by the curate, Rev. W. Harrison, the lessons being read and the sermon preached by the Rev. H. E. Noyes, D.D., who is chaplain to the Embassy. Doctor Noyes is well known as a very eloquent preacher, and taking for his text the 14th verse of the 8th chapter of St. Luke, part of the Gospel for the day, delivered an excellent discourse on the parable of the sower. The choir, under the direction of Mr. Percy Vincent, did itself full justice, and the congregation joined heartily in the service, as it invariably does at this Church, which has only one defect, viz., that it is not large enough to accommodate all the worshippers who would attend it, especially at a season when so many English visitors are passing through Paris. When the service was over it was scarcely possible to make one’s way along the street, so dense was the crowd.”
In the afternoon the King paid a visit to President Fallières at the Elysée, which was returned later, Madame Fallières accompanying the President to make the acquaintance of the Queen. In the evening their Majesties dined with their old friends Mr. and Mrs. Standish.
The following is an extract, giving the French impression of the Church service:
“L’Eglise était comble, bien qu’on n’y eût èté admís que sur la présentation de cartes imprimées, spécialement. L’Entrée des souverains y fut saluée par de nouveaux vivats. Ils prirent place dans la tribune de l’ambassade, a gauche de la nef. Puis le service commença. C’était l’office ordinaire du dimanche et la seule modification qu’on y apporta fut l’exécution du ‘God save the King’—joué par les orgues à la fin de la cérémonie, tandis que tous les assistants chantaient en chœur. Le Reverend H. E. Noyes officie. Edouard VII. suit avec une attention soutenue l’office, ainsi d’ailleurs que la reine Alexandra.”
All through the week the liveliest interest was taken in the movements of the King and Queen, and there were some amusing incidents. There was great curiosity to see the King’s automobile, the people apparently having forgotten that he had purchased it in Paris on a previous visit. What they expected to see I don’t know—perhaps some vehicle modelled after the old Royal stage coaches? But the reality was a fine Mercédés car, much the same in outward appearance as others in Paris, but with luxurious interior fittings. It was the rule in France at this time (as since) to have a conspicuous number painted on each car, and this mark the Royal Mercédés had not. It was consequently very soon stopped by a policeman in the Champs Elysées, and a crowd gathered. When, however, it was found to have a Royal owner, it was allowed to pass on. But this was not the end of the matter. Next day it was stopped by a more “exigeant” police officer, who, having failed to get satisfactory answers from the English chauffeur, obliged him to go to the police station. The crowd was highly amused as the news soon spread “C’est l’automobile du Roi,” although the stern police officer continued to ignore it. I believe there was another difficulty the following day. However, so soon as His Majesty heard of his chauffeur’s adventures, he ordered a number to be at once painted on the car, to conform with the French law.
Her Majesty the Queen received many begging and other letters during her short stay, and I was struck by the careful enquiries she caused to be made about each case. I was glad to be able to give, through one of the attachés, information as to several of the applicants who were well known to me.
The consideration of the Parisians for the “incognito” of their Majesties was very marked. It was reported that both the King and Queen expressed their satisfaction at this, and that the former said “Nothing could be nicer or more discreet. The Parisians are the most courteous people in the world.” The same attitude was maintained all through the visit, enabling their Majesties to go about in freedom and comfort, as they constantly did, to the great delight of both nationalities in the gay city.
After the “Entente Cordiale” became an accomplished fact, we had several visits of public bodies to Paris, and I always endeavoured to arrange a special service for them as part of the programme of the visit. In November, 1903, we had a British Parliamentary visit. I had corresponded with the secretary beforehand, and arranged for a special service at 4 p.m. on the Sunday afternoon (29th). We had no room for them at the ordinary morning service. I also consulted Sir E. and Lady Monson, who kindly arranged their reception for 5 o’clock, so that the Members of Parliament, their wives, and daughters could go across to the Embassy at the close of the service. About 300 attended, and, I had reason to know, fully appreciated the arrangement that had been made for them. I preached upon the Great Charter of our Religious Liberty from the text “Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” The National Anthem was very heartily sung at the close. Sir E. and Lady Monson received the guests with their usual kindness, and all the magnificent rooms at the Embassy were thrown open to them. All the members of the British party were present, together with French Senators and Deputies, and the leading members of the British Colony in Paris.