Accession to the Throne
The death of Queen Victoria and the accession of King Edward were the
first and perhaps the greatest events in the opening year of the new
century. Before the formal announcement on January 18th, 1901, which
stated that the Queen was not in her usual health and that "the great
strain upon her powers" during the past year had told upon Her Majesty's
nervous system, the people in Great Britain, in Canada, in Australia, in
all the Isles of the Sea and on the shores of a vast and scattered
Empire, had become so accustomed to her presence at the head of the
State and to her personality in their hearts and lives that the
possibility of her death was regarded with a feeling of shocked
surprise.
During the days which immediately followed and while the shadow of death
lay over the towers of Windsor, its influence was everywhere perceptible
throughout the press, the pulpit and amongst the peoples of the
Empire--in Montreal as in Winnipeg, in busy Melbourne and in
trouble-tossed Cape Town, in Calcutta and in Singapore. When the Prince
of Wales, on Thursday evening, the 22nd of January, telegraphed the Lord
Mayor of London that "My beloved mother, the Queen, has just passed
away," the announcement awakened a feeling of sorrow, of sympathy and of
Imperial sentiment such as the world had never seen before in such
wide-spread character and spontaneous expression.
Yet there was no expression of uneasiness as to the future; no question
or doubt as to the new influence and power that must come into existence
with the change of rulers; no fear that the Prince of Wales, as King
and Emperor, would not be fully equal to the immense responsibilities of
his new and great position. Perhaps no Prince, or statesman, or even
world-conqueror, has ever received so marked a compliment; so universal
a token of respect and regard as was exhibited in this expression of
confidence throughout the British Empire.
THE EMPIRE'S CONFIDENCE IN THE NEW KING
Public bodies of every description in the United Kingdom, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, India and other British countries rivalled each
other in their tributes of loyalty to the new Sovereign as well as of
respect for the great one who had gone. The press of the Empire was
practically a unit in its expression of confidence, while the pulpit,
which had during past years, expressed itself occasionally in terms of
criticism, was now almost unanimous in approval of the experienced,
moderate and tried character of the King. The death which it was once
thought by feeble-minded, or easily misled individuals, would shake the
Empire to its foundations was now seen to simply prove the stability of
its Throne, and the firmness of its institutions in the heart of the
people. The accession of the Prince of Wales actually strengthened that
Monarchy which the life and reign of his mother had brought so near to
the feelings and affections of her subjects everywhere.
On the day following the Queen's death the new Sovereign drove from
Marlborough House to St. James's Palace; accompanied by Lord Suffield
and an escort of the Horse Guards. He had previously arrived in London
from Windsor at an early hour accompanied by the Duke of Connaught, the
Duke of York, the Duke of Argyll, Mr. Balfour and others. The streets
were densely crowded with silent throngs of people; crape and mourning
being visible everywhere, and the raised hat the respectful recognition
accorded to His Majesty. Later in the day the people found their voices
and seemed to think that they could cheer again. At St. James's Palace
the members of the Privy Council had gathered to the number of 150 and
were representative of the greatest names and loftiest positions in
British public life.
THE KING ADDRESSES THE PRIVY COUNCIL
Members of the Royal family, the members of the Government, prominent
Peers, leading members of the House of Commons, the principal Judges and
the Lord Mayor of London--by virtue of his office--were in attendance.
Lord Salisbury, Lord Rosebery, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Balfour; the Dukes
of Norfolk, Devonshire, Portland, Northumberland, Fife and Argyll; the
Earls of Clarendon, Pembroke, Chesterfield, Cork and Orrery and Kintore;
Lord Halsbury, Lord Ashbourne, Lord Knutsford, Sir M. E. Hicks-Beach,
Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Lord George Hamilton, Mr. St. John Brodrick,
the Marquess of Lansdowne, Mr. W. H. Long, M.P., Lord Ridley, Sir. H.
Campbell-Bannerman, Sir J. E. Gorst, the Marquess of Ripon, Lord
Goschen, Mr. H. H. Asquith, Lord Pirbright, Lord Selborne, Sir R.
Temple, Mr. W. E. H. Lecky, Sir Drummond Wolff, Sir Charles Dilke, Lord
Stalbridge, Sir M. E. Grant-Duff, Mr. John Morley, Earl Spencer and Earl
Carrington were amongst those present. After the Council had been
officially informed by its President of the Queen's death and of the
accession of the Prince of Wales, the new Sovereign entered, clad in a
Field Marshal's uniform, and delivered, without manuscript or notes, a
speech which was a model of dignity and simplicity. Its terms showed
most clearly both tact and a profound perception of his position and its
importance was everywhere recognized:
"Your Royal Highnesses, My Lords and Gentlemen: This is the most
painful occasion on which I shall ever be called upon to address
you. My first melancholy duty is to announce to you the death of my
beloved mother, the Queen, and I know how deeply you and the whole
nation, and, I think I may say, the whole world, sympathize with me
in the irreparable loss we have all sustained. I need hardly say
that my constant endeavour will be always to walk in her footsteps.
In undertaking the heavy load which now devolves upon me I am fully
determined to be a constitutional Sovereign in the strictest sense
of the word, and, so long as there is breath in my body, to work
for the good and amelioration of my people.
I have resolved to be known by the name of Edward, which has been
borne by six of my ancestors. In doing so I do not undervalue the
name of Albert, which I inherit from my ever to-be-lamented, great
and wise father, who by universal consent is I think, and
deservedly, known by the name of Albert the Good, and I desire that
his name should stand alone. In conclusion, I trust to Parliament
and the nation to support me in the arduous duties which now
devolve upon me by inheritance, and to which I am determined to
devote my whole strength during the remainder of my life."
After the oath of allegiance had been taken by those present, the
proclamation announcing the accession of the new Monarch was signed by
the Duke of York--now also Duke of Cornwall,--the Duke of Connaught, the
Duke of Cambridge, Prince Christian, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Lord Chancellor, the Lord Mayor of London, and the other Privy
Councillors present. The Houses of Parliament met shortly afterwards and
the members took the oath of allegiance, while all around the Empire the
same ceremony was being gone through in varied tongues and many forms
and strangely differing surroundings. There was wide-spread interest in
His Majesty's choice of a name, and the designation of Edward VII. was
almost universally approved--the exceptions being in certain Scotch
contentions that the numeral could not properly apply to Scotland as a
part of Great Britain. The name itself reads well in English history.
Edward the Confessor, though not included in the Norman chronology, was
a Saxon ruler of high attainments, admirable character and wise laws.
Edward I, was not only a successful soldier and the conqueror of wild
and warlike Wales, but a statesman who did much to establish unity and
peace amongst his people. Edward II. was remarkable chiefly for the
thrashing which the Scots gave him at Bannockburn while Edward III. was
the hero of Crecy, the winner of half of France, and a brave and able
ruler. Edward IV. was a masterful, hard and not over-scrupulous monarch,
and Edward V. was one of the unfortunate boys who were murdered in the
Tower of London. Edward VI. was a mild-natured and honest youth who did
not live long enough to impress himself upon a strenuous period, or upon
interests with which his character little fitted him to deal. The last
of the name had reigned, therefore, before the Kingdom of England got
out of its national and religious swaddling clothes; before the reign of
Henry VIII. had freed it from connection with Rome, or that of Elizabeth
had founded the maritime and commercial empire which, in time, was to
create the mighty realm over which the new Edward now assumed sway.
INCIDENTS SURROUNDING THE ACCESSION
The Proclamation of the King in the cities of the United Kingdom and at
the capitals of countries and provinces and islands all around the globe
was a more or less stately and ceremonious function, and the
Proclamation itself was couched in phraseology almost as old as the
Monarchy. "We, therefore, do now with consent of tongue and heart,
publish and proclaim that the high and mighty Prince, Albert Edward, is
now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only
lawful and rightful Liege Lord, Edward the Seventh." At the ceremony in
London, Dublin, Liverpool, Derby and other cities, immense crowds
assembled and "God save the King" was sung with unusual heartiness.
Meanwhile, following his address to the Privy Council, the King had
returned to Osborne with the Duke of Cornwall and York, and there he
found the German Emperor awaiting him. The latter had come post-haste
from Berlin and been in time to see the Queen before she passed away. He
had now decided to stay until after the funeral and thus to tender every
respect in his power to the memory of his august grandmother. Parliament
had been called immediately upon the King's Proclamation, and it met
hurriedly and briefly on January 24th to enable the members to take the
oath of allegiance while, all around the Empire, similar proceedings
were taking place in Courts and Legislatures and Government buildings.
On the following day Parliament met in brief Session and the Marquess of
Salisbury in the House of Lords and Mr. A. J. Balfour in the Commons
read a Royal message: "The King is fully assured that the House of Lords
will share the deep sorrow which has befallen His Majesty and the nation
by the lamented death of His Majesty's mother, the late Queen. Her
devotion to the welfare of her country and her people and her wise and
beneficent rule during the sixty-four years of her glorious reign will
ever be held in affectionate memory by her loyal and devoted subjects
throughout the dominions of the British Empire." In moving an address of
mingled sympathy and congratulation, in reply, Lord Salisbury spoke with
sincere and weighty words as to the qualities and power of the late
Queen, her position as a constitutional ruler and her "steady and
persistent influence on the action of her Ministers in the course of
legislation and government." Upon the position of the new Sovereign the
speaker was explicit: "He has before him the greatest example he could
have to follow, he has been familiar with our political and social life
for more than one generation, he enjoys a universal and enormous
popularity, he is beloved in foreign countries and foreign Courts almost
as much as he is at home, and he has profound knowledge of the working
of our institutions and the conduct of our affairs."
The motion was seconded by Lord Kimberley as Liberal Leader in the
House, and spoken to by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the Commons Mr.
Balfour referred at length to the great reign and character of Queen
Victoria and to the Sovereign's influence upon public affairs. "In my
judgment the importance of the Crown in our Constitution is not a
diminishing but an increasing factor." Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the
Opposition Leader, seconded the motion, dealt with the late Queen's
personal character, referred to Queen Alexandra as having long reigned
in the hearts of the people, and paid high tribute to King Edward: "For
the greater part of his life it has fallen to him not only to discharge
a large part of the ceremonial public duty which would naturally be
performed by the head of the State; but also to take a leading part in
almost every scheme established for the national benefit of the country.
Religion and charity, public health, science and literature and art,
education, commerce, agriculture--not one of these subjects appealed in
vain to His Majesty, when Prince of Wales, for strong sympathy and even
for personal effort and influence. We know how unselfish he has been in
the assiduous discharge of all his public duties, we know with what tact
and geniality he has been able to lend himself to the furtherance of
these great objects."
The tactful and obviously sincere language of the King's address to his
Council had, meanwhile, won the warmest and most loyal commendation in
all parts of the Empire--the unanimity of approval being extraordinary
in view of the diversity of peoples and interests involved. Other
messages which followed from His Majesty were of the same statesmanlike
character. To the Army, on January 25th, he issued a special message, as
Sovereign and as constitutional head, thanking it for the splendid
services rendered to the late Queen and describing her pride in its
deeds and in being herself a soldier's daughter. "To secure your best
interests will be one of the deepest objects of my heart and I know I
can count upon that loyal devotion which you ever evinced toward your
late Sovereign." On the following day the Navy received a message of
thanks for the distinguished services rendered by it during the long and
glorious reign of the late Queen and concluding with these words:
"Watching over your interests and well-being I confidently rely upon
that unfailing loyalty which is the proud inheritance of your noble
Service."
An incident followed which once more showed the tactfulness of character
so desirable and important in a Sovereign. The presence of William II.
of Germany in England, at this particular period, was creating much
discussion abroad and his evident friendship for the King, whom he had
just made an Admiral of the German fleet and with whom he had been
having prolonged conferences--in company on one occasion with Lord
Lansdowne who had been hastily summoned to Osborne--increased this
interest. On January 28th the situation was accentuated by the
announcement that the German Emperor had been made a Field Marshal in
the British Army and his son, the Crown Prince, a Knight of the Garter.
In personally conferring the latter honour King Edward made a brief
speech in which he expressed the hope that the kindly action of the
Emperor in coming to London at this juncture and his own presentation of
this ancient Order to the Prince might "further cement and strengthen
the good feeling which exists between the two countries."
Between the time of the King's accession and the funeral of Queen
Victoria, on February 1st, the press and public of the Empire were busy
taking stock of the great loss sustained and measuring the character and
possibilities of the new Sovereign. There was, in both connections, a
curious and striking unanimity, as may be inferred from what has been
already stated. A few expressions of authoritative opinion about the new
King may, however, very properly be quoted here in addition to the
references made in Parliament. The London _Times_, on the day following
the Queen's death, spoke of the long training undergone by the Prince of
Wales, of his wide experience and his acquaintance with the ceremonial
functions of Royalty. "Endowed as he is with many of the most lovable
and attractive qualities of his mother--with warm sympathies, with a
kind heart, with a generous disposition, and with a quick appreciation
of genuine worth--the nation is happy in the confidence that, in spirit
as well as in form, it may count upon the maintenance of that conception
of Royalty which is the only one which most of us have ever known. To
these qualities the King adds perfect tact, wide knowledge of men and
the business virtues of method, prompt decision, punctuality and great
capacity for work."
KINDLY AND LOYAL WORDS
Speaking on January 24th at the City Temple, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Parker,
Chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, spoke of the
King's great opportunities and personal powers. "As Prince of Wales he
has played a difficult part with strict sagacity and unfailing
good-nature. He is a man of great compass of mind. Let us welcome him
with our warmest appreciation." From across the Atlantic came the voice
of the Prime Minister of Canada, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in his eloquent
speech in Parliament on February 8th: "We have believed from the first
that he who was a wise Prince will be a wise King, and that the policy
which has made the British Empire so great under his predecessor will
also be his policy." From the still more distant Melbourne, Australia,
came the kindly and loyal words of the _Argus_ on February 1st: "In the
eyes of his subjects, near and far, he is clothed with the kindliness,
the tact, the sympathy with social progress, the practical intelligence,
the political impartiality, and the keen sense of duty he displayed
during the many years in which he helped his mother in the discharge of
the Royal tasks. His people know that he possesses the amiability, the
dignity, the clear vision and the industry which befit the occupant of a
most exacting as well as exalted position." From all over the world came
testimonies of similar feeling, and within British dominions the
opinions and tributes everywhere partook of one quality--that of trust
and confidence in the new Sovereign.
During this first week of his reign the work which devolved upon the
King was tremendous. The signing and consideration of necessary
documents which had been delayed during the illness of the Queen was
alone a serious task. The slight sickness of the Duke of Cornwall and
York detached him from the help which he might have given in many ways,
and the presence of the German Emperor increased the burden of
discussion and of questions to be dealt with. The King also took charge
of the large and complicated arrangements connected with the funeral
ceremonies and supervised the immense variety of details with his usual
business-like ability and energy. This great function, which eclipsed
the Jubilee in solemn splendour and exceeded any demonstration in
history in its unquestioned weight of public sorrow, commenced on
Friday, February 1st, when the remains of the Queen were removed from
Osborne to the Royal yacht _Alberta_.
The coffin was carried by Highlanders and blue-jackets, followed by the
King, the German Emperor, the Duke of Connaught, the German Crown
Prince, Prince Henry of Prussia, Prince Christian, the Duke of
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Arthur of Connaught, Prince Charles of
Denmark, Prince Louis of Battenberg, and then Queen Alexandra and the
Princesses. The _Alberta_ passed across the Solent to Portsmouth,
through a long and continuous avenue of saluting warships, and was
followed by another vessel with the Royal mourners on board. The members
of the Lords and Commons were on vessels placed amongst the warships.
On Saturday the body of the late Sovereign was brought from Portsmouth
to the metropolis and borne with solemn state to Paddington station
through millions of black-garbed, silent and mournful people, and
between lines, along the entire route, of thirty-three thousand Regular
troops and volunteers. It was followed by the King, the German Emperor
and the Duke of Connaught, riding abreast, the Kings of Portugal and
Greece, forty Princes representing every Royal House in Europe,
seventeen representatives of the Colonies, a long array of Ambassadors
and foreign representatives, the Queen, the Princesses, the King of the
Belgians, the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Roberts, Lord Wolseley. The coffin
was taken by train to Windsor where, in St. George's Chapel, the funeral
service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of
Winchester. The actual interment took place on Monday afternoon in the
Royal Mausoleum of Frogmore, where the remains of the great Queen were
laid in death beside those of the husband whose memory she had so long
cherished in life.
These prolonged obsequies--the most splendid and impressive in
history--passed off with a smoothness of procedure which, under the
circumstances of sorrow and crowding duties, indicated more than
ordinary powers of concentration and management in the new King, as well
as a most marvellous sentiment and sympathy amongst the people.
Throughout the Empire, as that solemn procession passed along the
purple-draped streets of London, funeral services were being held and
sermons of sorrow preached in an uncounted multitude of churches
darkened with all the habiliments of mourning. As the _Standard_ well
put it on February 5th: "The nation is conscious of its debt to the
King, whose tactful perception and devoted labour gave it so splendid an
opportunity of showing its reverence for the Sovereign who has just
passed away. The King on his side has found strength and comfort in
those eloquent demonstrations of the sympathy of his subjects which have
reached him, in innumerable ways, from all parts of his dominions."
Immediately after the last ceremonies had been performed the King issued
a series of Messages which, for tact and courtesy and kindliness, have
rarely been excelled--even by the experienced eloquence of his Royal
mother. They were all dated February 4th and the first was addressed "To
my People." It commenced by saying: "Now that the last scene has closed
in the noble and ever-glorious life of my beloved mother, the Queen, I
am anxious to endeavour to convey to the whole Empire the extent of the
deep gratitude I feel for the heart-stirring and affectionate tributes
which are everywhere borne to her memory." His Majesty proceeded to
speak of the recent magnificent display by sea and land and the
inspiration of courage and hope which the public sympathy had been to
him during the recent trying days. "Encouraged by the confidence of that
love and trust which the nation ever reposed in its late and
fondly-mourned Sovereign, I shall earnestly strive to walk in her
footsteps, devoting myself to the utmost of my powers to maintaining and
promoting the highest interests of my people and to the diligent and
zealous fulfilment of the great and sacred responsibilities which,
through the will of God, I am now called to undertake."
A second Message was addressed "To my People beyond the Seas." After
referring to the countless dispatches which had been received from his
"Dominions over the Seas" and the universal grief felt throughout the
Empire, the King spoke of the "heartfelt interest" always evinced by the
late Sovereign in the welfare of Greater Britain, in the extension of
self-government, in the loyalty of the people to her Throne and person,
in the gallantry of those who had fought and died for the Empire in
South Africa. He concluded as follows: "I have already declared that it
will be my constant endeavour to follow the great example which has
been bequeathed to me. In these endeavours, I shall have a constant
trust in the devotion and sympathy of the people and of their several
representative assemblies throughout my vast Colonial dominions. With
such loyal support, I will, with God's blessing, solemnly work for the
common welfare and security of the great Empire over which I have now
been called to reign."
The next and last of these historic documents was a letter to the
Princes and peoples of India in which His Majesty informed them that
through the lamented death of his mother he had inherited a Throne
"which has descended to me through a long and ancient lineage" and then
proceeded: "I now desire to send my greeting to the ruling Chiefs of the
Native States and to the inhabitants of my Indian dominions, to insure
them of my sincere good will and affection and of my heartfelt wishes
for their welfare." He spoke of his illustrious predecessor as having
first taken upon herself the direct administration of Indian affairs and
assumed the title of Empress in token of her closer association with the
government of that country; referred to the loyalty of its people and
the services rendered by its Princes in the South African war and by its
native soldiers in other countries; and concluded in the following
expressive words: "It was by her wish and with her sanction that I
visited India and made myself acquainted with the ruling Chiefs, the
people and the cities of that ancient and famous Empire. I shall never
forget the deep impressions which I then received and I shall endeavour
to follow the great Queen-Empress, to work for the general well-being of
my Indian subjects of all ranks and to merit, as she did, their
unfailing loyalty and affection."
Following these incidents came the return home of the German Emperor, a
letter of thanks from the King to Earl Roberts for his management of the
military part of the funeral arrangements, and a most enthusiastic
reception to His Majesty and Queen Alexandra during a rapid passage
through London to Marlborough House on February 27th. From this time on,
during weeks of crowded work and the assumption of new responsibilities
and functions, the King received many addresses of mingled condolence
and congratulation. One of the first was from the Royal Agricultural
Society of England which the King had done so much to aid as Heir
Apparent. The President, Earl Cawdor, in speaking to the Council on
February 6th, referred to "the keen personal interest which the King had
ever taken in all that related to the welfare of the agricultural
interests of the country at large, and especially of the Royal
Agricultural Society. They had made many and many calls upon his time
and thought." Canterbury Convocation referred to the pending visit of
the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Australia, New Zealand and
Canada. The County of Derby the Royal Society, the Benevolent Society of
St. Patrick--all sorts of organizations, political, financial,
commercial, religious, scientific, official, artistic, benevolent and
literary--expressed their admiration for the late Queen and their
loyalty to the new Sovereign.
[Illustration: A GROUP AT SANDRINGHAM PALACE
The favourite residence of King Edward while he was Prince of Wales. The
King is at right of the centre, and the Duke of Cornwall and York, now
King George V. at the left side of the picture]
[Illustration: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, WESTMINSTER]
[Illustration: THE HOUSE OF LORDS
At Westminster, where the Peers of the Realm assemble in their
law-making capacity]
[Illustration: THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AT OTTAWA
The cornerstone was laid by King Edward VII in 1860]
RECEPTION OF LOYAL ADDRESS
On January 13th the King received, in state, at St. James's Palace, the
Corporation of London and the London County Council. In response to the
addresses His Majesty made a direct reference to the Housing of the Poor
Question, which he described as one in which "I have always taken the
deepest personal interest." At a meeting of the Mark Master Masons of
England on February 19th, with the Earl of Euston in the chair, the
usual address was passed, and then a letter was read from Sir Francis
Knollys, saying that the King felt it necessary to resign the
Grand-Mastership, but that he would remain a Patron of the Order. Five
days later the King received at St. James's the loyal address of the
University of Oxford, presented by its Chancellor, the Marquess of
Salisbury; of the University of Cambridge, presented by its Chancellor,
the Duke of Devonshire; of the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland, presented by the Right Rev. Dr. Norman Macleod; of the
Corporation of Edinburgh and the Royal Society. Each of the deputations
presenting these addresses was large and distinguished in membership,
and to each His Majesty addressed a brief and tactful speech.
On March 12th another brilliant function was held at the same Palace,
when the King received addresses from the Convocation of Canterbury,
presented by the Archbishop, and that of the Northern Convocation
presented by the Archbishop of York; the University of London, the
English Presbyterian Church and the Society of Friends. Eight days later
the great event in this connection, amidst surroundings of state and
splendour, was the reception of over forty addresses from cities,
boroughs, institutions and various public bodies. Included in the list
of deputations presenting addresses were those from the Universities of
Edinburgh, Dublin, Victoria and Wales, the Dutch Reformed Church, the
Baptist Union, the Congregational Union of England and Wales, the
National Council of the Evangelical Free Churches, the Cities of York,
Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Belfast, Cardiff, Exeter, Chester and
Doncaster, the Bank of England, the Royal Asiatic Society, the
Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom, the Coal Exchange, the
United Grand Lodge of Freemasons and the Ancient Order of Foresters.
General replies were given to each address and to only a few separately.
Amongst the latter were the Freemasons, to whom the King said: "I have
felt much regret at relinquishing the high and honourable post of Grand
Master which I have held since 1874, and I shall not cease to retain the
same interest that I have felt in Freemasonry." He also expressed great
satisfaction at being succeeded by the Duke of Connaught.
Further addresses were presented in similar state on May 3d. The Roman
Catholic deputation was headed by Cardinal Vaughan and the Duke of
Norfolk and included Lord Llandaff and fourteen Bishops--a brilliant
picture in red and purple and black. Their address was of peculiar
interest and contained the following paragraph: "Your Majesty's life has
been spent in the midst of your people, sharing in their happiness and
prosperity, actively engaged in ameliorating the condition of the lowly
and in promoting their comfort in sickness and suffering. All classes of
the population--the leisured, the professional, the industrial and the
poor--have been the object of your sympathy and interest." A deputation
from the Jews of Great Britain included Lord Rothschild, the Hon. L. W.
Rothschild, M.P., the Chief Rabbi, Sir G. Faudel-Phillips, Sir Edward
Sassoon, M.P., Mr. B. L. Cohen, M.P., and Sir J. Sebag-Montefiore.
Addresses were also presented by the Presbyterian Church of England, and
on behalf of a large number of cities and towns.
Meanwhile, King Edward had been conferring honours or positions upon
some of his old friends and faithful servants, re-organizing his
Household generally for the still more onerous and important work now
before them, and not forgetting to conspicuously reward the best and
oldest servants of the late Sovereign. In this delicate task he showed
his usual tact and consideration. First in this respect, as she had been
for so many years wherever he could properly place her in the front, was
his wife--and to Queen Alexandra was given the first honour of the new
reign in her creation, under special statute, on February 12th, as Lady
of the Most Noble Order of the Garter--the greatest order of Knighthood
in the world. Three days later the Royal Victorian Order in its highest
form--G.C.V.O.--was given to the Duke of Argyll and the Duke of Fife.
Lord Edward Pelham-Clinton, Major-General Sir John Carstairs McNeill,
V.C., Sir Fleetwood Edwards and Sir Arthur J. Bigge, for many years
important members of Queen Victoria's Household, received the same
honour, as did the King's own devoted Secretary, Sir Francis Knollys.
On February 18th, a number of appointments were made to the Household
including Lord Suffield as Lord-in-Waiting with General the Right Hon.
Sir D. M. Probyn, Sir John McNeill, Lord Wantage, V.C., Sir Fleetwood
Edwards and Sir Arthur Bigge as Extra Equerries to His Majesty. General,
Viscount Bridport and General the Duke of Grafton were appointed
Honorary Equerries and Major-Generals Sir Henry P. Ewart and Sir Stanley
Clarke to other positions at Court. Queen Alexandra appointed the
members of her Household under date of March 8th and they included the
Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry as Mistress of the Robes, the
Countesses of Antrim, Macclesfield, Gosford and Lytton and the Lady
Suffield and Dowager Countess of Morton as Ladies of the Bedchamber,
Lord Colville of Culross as Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Gosford as
Vice-Chamberlain, the Earl de Grey as Treasurer, and the Hon. S. R.
Greville as Private Secretary. Numerous appointments of an honorary kind
in connection with the Army and Navy followed and on July 24th the Earl
of Pembroke was announced as Lord Steward of His Majesty's Household,
the Hon. V. C. W. Cavendish M.P. as Treasurer, Viscount Valentia M.P. as
Comptroller, Lord Farquhar as Master of the Household, the Earl of
Clarendon as Lord Chamberlain, Major-General Sir Arthur Ellis as
Comptroller of Accounts, the Duke of Portland as Master of the Horse,
the Duke of Argyll as Governor of Windsor Castle and the following as
Lords-in-Waiting: the Earl of Denbigh, the Earl of Kintore, Earl Howe,
Lord Suffield, Lord Kenyon, Lord Churchill and Lord Lawrence.
Many of these names may be recognized as amongst the friends or
officials of the King, in his later years as the Heir Apparent, or as
companions in some of his travels. On March 24th, following the custom
of British Sovereigns, several special Embassies were appointed and
announced to carry to European Courts the official intimation of His
Majesty's accession. That to Denmark, Sweden and Norway, Russia, Germany
and Saxony, included the Duke of Abercorn, the Earl of Kintore,
Major-General Sir Archibald Hunter and the Marquess of Hamilton, M.P.
and that to Belgium, Bavaria, Italy, Wurtemberg and the Netherlands,
included the Earl of Mount Edgecombe, Viscount Downe and Admiral Sir
Michael Culme-Seymour. Earl Carrington, the Earl of Harewood and others
were appointed to France, Spain and Portugal and Field Marshal Lord
Wolseley, Viscount Castlereagh and others to Austro-Hungary, Roumania,
Servia and Turkey.