teatimeatwinterpalace: August 9, 1902 – Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra &lsq
teatimeatwinterpalace:August 9, 1902 – Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra ‘ I would have liked it 20 years ago, ‘A proclomation issued in june 1901 announced that the Coronation would take place on 26 june 1902. As the date approached, Bertie was more than ever swamped in work. His belly was grotesquely extended and acutely painful. Laking suspected appendicitis, but Bertie refused an operation, cancelling the Coronation was unthinkable ’ The Coronation cannot be postponed. I won’t hear ot if. I cannot and will not disappoint the poeple… I will go to the Abbey on Thursday if I die there.’. Laking replied ’ If Your Majesty did go on Thursday to the Abbey in all human probability you would die there.’ News that the Coronation was indefinitely postponed was announced on Tuesday, Bertie was operated, the probelm was an abscess.The King and Queen drove in the state cach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey at eleven a.m.on the 9 August. Alix for once was punctual. The six weeks’ breathing space had given the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, time to drill his courtiers and pages, and the processions, which would have been a shambles in June, were perfectly choreographed in August. The King’s procession followed, bearing royal regalia, the sceptre, orb and crown, and at last came the King. ’ Viva Rex Edwardus ! ’ shouted the boys, too early, so that they had to shout it twice. As Bertie walked briskly up to nave - so fast that he had to be told several times to slow down - people noticed a strange hush and extraordinary stillness come over the abbey. Consuelo, Duchess of Malborough, felt a lump in her throat and ’realised I was more British than I knew.’ When Bertie took the oath, a deep silence descended, and ‘many ladies began to cry.’ When Georgie paid hommage, Bertie pulled his son back by his robe as he turned, and kissed him twice in a gesture of touching emotion. Bertie A Life of Edward VII -- source link
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