See how it looked in 1910

Hail George V. King of British Domains in Ceremony Today

Erstwhile Prince of Wales Is Sworn Before the Privy Council in Throne Room of St. James Palace Accepts His Trust First Proclamation of New Monarch Is for All Officially to Proceed With Their Regular Duties

LONDON -

King George V. was formally administered the oath of office as the reigning monarch in succession to the late King Edward near the quadrangle of St. James Palace at 4 o’clock this afternoon.

The privy council met at the palace in accordance with the time-honored custom and formally declared King Edward deceased. Immediately afterward the government leaders visited King George who had driven to the palace and was in an adjoining room. The lord chancellor advanced and administered the dual oaths of office affecting England and Scotland, which were responded to with a silence that was impressive.

The new ruler at once announced that he would ascend the throne as King George V. The heir apparent, Prince Edward Albert, then stepped forward and the oath of succession was administered to him, following the ancient ritual of the British throne.

The new King in his speech of acceptance, if such might be called, made several touching allusions to the father of whom he had just been bereft and to the trying circumstances under which he was being called to the throne.

The ceremony of swearing the new King was begun by the firing of the royal salute of 101 guns, which was concluded just as the King finished his speech.

The administering of the oath and the speech of the King were to have been followed by the reading of the royal proclamation from the quadrangle of the palace, the proclamation having been prepared by the privy council. Owing to the lateness of the hour, however, the proclamation was postponed until Monday morning at 9 o’clock. This proclamation reads as follows:

“Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call in his mercy our late sovereign, King Edward, of blessed and glorious memory, from whose decease the imperial crown of Great Britain and Ireland solely and rightfully comes to the high and mighty Prince George;

“We, therefore, as lords of the spiritual and temporal realm, being here assisted by these members of his late majesty’s privy council, with members of other principal gentlemen of quality, and with the lord mayor, aldermen and citizens of London, hereby with one voice consent, and with tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the high and mighty Prince George, now by the death of our late sovereign of happy memory, becomes our only rightful liege lord, George V. by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British dominions beyond the seas King, defender of the faith, and Emperor of India, toward whom we acknowledge all faith and constant obedience, and with all beauty and humble affection beseeching God, through whom kings and queens reign, to bless the royal King George V. with long and happy years to reign over us.

“Given at the count of St. James on this the seventh day of May, 1910” to troops drawn up about the palace brought their arms to present and on signal from the king at arms the entire assemblage shouted.

“God save the King!”

The bands struck up the national anthem, while a better of artillery parked on the adjoining terrace fired the royal solute.

King George drove to the council chamber accompanied by a brilliant suite. Tens of thousands cheered the passage of the royal carriage. The King bowed in recognition of the cheers.

The scene at the privy council chamber was of unusual brilliancy. More than 200 nobles, headed by Prince Christian and the Dukes of Argyle and Fife were present, as well as a host of other royalties, judges, bishops, sheriffs and the lord mayor. All wore their official uniforms.

The King’s speech closed the exercises for the day, reserving until the proclamation is read the spectacular features that always attend this event.

The funeral of Kind Edward will probably be held at Windsor castle May 17th, and the body laid to rest in a special mausoleum, instead of the mausoleum containing the bodies of the late Queen Victoria and the prince consort, parents of the late King.

The new King promised to reign as constitutional sovereign. At the conclusion of the meeting King George issued his first proclamation, requesting all of his officials proceed with their duties. Formerly, all officers, including the councilors’ were vacated on the passing of the sovereign.

The alderman of the city of London attended the council and swore allegiance. A proclamation has already been issued by the home office requiring theaters to close today.

Premier Asquith, who is in Spain, cannot reach London before Monday.

Speaker Lowther of the House of Commons, however, is in Constantinople.