But there is a greater and a grander scene yet to come. A hush as of death, which succeeds the “Amen” of the grand old hymn, is broken by a cry which at once changes thoughts of worship into shouts of almost frenzied loyalty. “Three Cheers for the Queen.” Whose voice utters this welcome summons?—welcome to feelings bursting for expression, welcome to hearts throbbing in the throat with half-hysterical excitement. Some say it was the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Temple) who gave the call, others that the voice came from the group of foreign princes.
Whoever it was, the word is obeyed with electric power. Stately bishops wave their caps in air, soldiers raise their swords on high, flags and handkerchiefs flutter from the surrounding houses, and with one mighty voice “Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” is hurled forth by the great throng.
And what of the Queen, the gracious lady, the centre of all this overwhelming enthusiasm. Her face is pale, but radiant; and, although the tears course down her cheeks, there is a look of inexpressible pride and thankfulness in the Sovereign’s eyes. Her eldest son comes forward to whisper—words maybe of comfort and courage—to his beloved mother, and the Duke of Cambridge also draws nearer to Her Majesty.
“God Save the Queen” is given out by the massed bands and voices, and all the people join in singing. Then there is more joyous cheering, and then the end of the ceremony, so grand and impressive, so heart-stirring, and so wonderful that those who witnessed it are for the moment dazed by its overwhelming effects.
Once more there is movement in the procession, for the Queen has yet to meet countless thousands of her people; and with remarkable precision the great cortege sets out on its way, to the accompaniment of the music of instruments and that grander music, the plaudits of a happy and contented people. The Sovereign is driven through the City, and past the Mansion-House, where the Lord Mayor has already arrived, and where the Lady Mayoress briefly welcomes the Queen and hands her a bouquet of mauve and white orchids in a silver basket. The procession proceeds over the river by way of London Bridge, through the ancient borough of Southwark, the High Street, the Borough Road, and Westminster Bridge Road, over the Thames again, and then under the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, where the “faithful Commons” are assembled on a stand of immense construction, along Parliament Street, across the Horse Guards’ Parade, where, as throughout the whole route, space is kept for the procession by a thin red line of military, ’neath the welcome shade of Mall’s avenue of trees, to the massive entrance gates of Buckingham Palace.
THE ROYAL PROCESSION—THE CEREMONY AT ST. PAUL’S
Following is the order of that portion of the Procession known as the “Queen’s Procession”:—
First Carriage (Pair of Horses).
Señor Don Demetrio Iglesias, Costa Rica; Herr von Brauer, Baden; M. Ramon Subercasseaux, Chile; and M. Ran Gabé, Greece.