The vigorous expressions of public joy and enthusiasm evinced on Harry’s arrival in London on Tuesday evening had by no means abated by the following morning, when Harry and Grieve were to attend at Buckingham Palace in response to a command telegram from the King. The appointed hour was 10.30, and before that time many hundreds were gathered near the gates, around the Victoria Memorial, and in the Mall. A Times correspondent’s account read:
“Most of the crowd clustered round the main gates to the Palace. They were expecting the visitors to enter that way, and were looking for two young men dressed in the easy garb which had proved singularly appropriate for arrival at King’s Cross. Under this delusion they paid no attention to two solemn men who drove up in a Rolls-Royce car about 10.20 through the other gateway and were admitted into the Palace. The solemn man in morning coat and silk hat was Mr. Hawker, and his equally solemn companion in naval uniform was Commander Grieve.
“The error had been realised when the airmen left the Palace about an hour later, and the crowd, now to be numbered in thousands, seemed resolved to make up for lost time. Without his hat, as he first appeared, Mr. Hawker was quickly recognised, and the cheers rang out in a moment. There was a rush to approach nearer the gates, but mounted policemen kept back the crowd. Girls waved their handkerchiefs, men their hats, and all shouted as loudly as they could.”
It was shortly before 10.30 when Harry and Grieve arrived at Buckingham Palace in response to the Royal telegram which had reached them during their southward journey of the previous day. They were received by the King, who in congratulating them and bestowing upon them the Air Force Cross, spoke in high terms of their attempt to make the crossing when the weather conditions were not entirely favourable. A few moments later the Queen and Prince Albert joined His Majesty to listen to Harry’s and Grieve’s accounts of their experiences. The conversation was informal, and Harry and Grieve were entirely at ease. The King asked many questions about the flight, and was particularly interested in Commander Grieve’s methods of navigating when among the clouds. Harry said afterwards, “The King was as much interested in the scientific attainments of the flight as in anything concerning the adventure. He also questioned us closely upon the personal aspect of the trip, and was deeply interested in the description of our experiences and impressions. We were with Their Majesties about twenty minutes, and when we left, the King and Queen again shook hands most cordially with us.”
On May 29th, after the visit to Buckingham Palace, Harry and Grieve were entertained to luncheon by the Daily Mail at the Savoy Hotel. Outside the hotel crowds of enthusiasts cheered them in appreciation of the high honours conferred at Buckingham Palace by the King earlier in the day.
In the absence of Viscount Northcliffe, who was unable to be present owing to an impending operation on his throat, Mr. Marlowe, chairman of the Associated Newspapers, Ltd., and Editor of the Daily Mail, received the large and distinguished company of guests.
Harry sat on the right of Mr. Marlowe, on whose left was Grieve, while the only lady present, myself, was honoured by the presence of the Lord Chancellor on my left and the Air Minister on my right. Among others present were:
Lord Inverclyde, Lord Morris, Lord Londonderry, Major-General Sir F. Sykes, Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, Mr. Cecil Harmsworth (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), Mr. Andrew Fisher, Sir W. A. Robinson, Sir Edgar Bowring, Sir Joseph Cook, Mr. John Walter, Sheriff Banister Fletcher, Sir Arthur Stanley, Sir George Sutton, Sir Campbell Stuart, Sir Marcus Samuel, Sir William Sutherland, Sir Howard Frank, Sir Jesse Boot, Sir Thomas Roydon, Sir George Frampton, Sir Squire Bancroft, Sir Thomas Devitt, Sir Herbert Morgan, Sir Robert Hudson, Brig.-General Sir Capel Holden, Sir Trevor Dawson, Sir Henry Dalziel, Sir Edward Hulton, Sir George Watson, Sir Samuel Waring, Sir Charles Wakefield, Sir William Treloar, Sir Harry Brittain, Sir J. Masterman Smith, Sir Frank Newnes, Sir E. Mountain, Major-Gen. Sir Sefton Brancker, Major-Gen. R. M. Ruck, Commander Perrin, Colonel F. K. Maclean, Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith, Mr. Handley Page, Mr. Claude Johnstone, Colonel T. O’B. Hubbard, Mr. Max Pemberton, Mr. Charles E. Hands, Mr. Howard Corbett, Mr. W. Lints-Smith, Mr. H. W. Wilson, Mr. James Douglas, Col. G. B. Cockburn, Mr. A. V. Roe, Mr. A. H. Fenn, Mr. Holt Thomas, Mr. Harry Preston, Mr. Gerald du Maurier, Mr. C. B. Cochran, Mr. Hamilton Fyfe, Mr. C. R. Fairey, Mr. Hamilton Fulton, Mr. R. O. Cary, Mr. C. Grahame-White, Major F. C. Buck, Major Heckstall-Smith, Mr. Sidney Pickles.
The chief table was surmounted by a floral model of a Sopwith biplane, and graceful floral propellers were suspended from the electroliers.
Following the Royal Toast, the Chairman read messages of regret from many distinguished people unable to be present.