Queen Victoria by Richard Rivington Holmes

that of the coronation of William IV; the walking procession of all the estates of the realm, the banquet in Westminster Hall, with all the feudal services attendant thereon, being dispensed with; not without some protests from the antiquaries, as well as from interested tradesmen. The procession, however, outside the Abbey was considerably increased in number as well as in splendour, and the route from the Palace to the Abbey lengthened, so as to give the vast throngs of people more opportunity of seeing their Sovereign. As nearly as possible at ten o’clock the Queen stepped into her carriage, a new Royal Standard (30 by 18 ft.) was hoisted on the Marble Arch, the bands played the National Anthem, and a salute of twenty-one guns was fired in the Park. Following the Trumpeters and Life Guards came the magnificent State Carriages of the Foreign Ambassadors, a novel sight on such an occasion. Conspicuous among them was the splendid coach of Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia, the old antagonist of the Duke of Wellington, and now Ambassador from the King of the French; the veteran was greeted all along the line of procession, and even in the Abbey itself, with the heartiest cheers. Next came the members of the Royal Family, preceding the Queen’s carriages, conveying the Members and Officers of the Household; after which, surrounded by a brilliant staff and escort, came the State Carriage bearing the Sovereign, in attendance upon whom were the Mistress of the Robes, the Duchess of Sutherland, and the Master of the Horse, the Earl of Albemarle; the Captain-General of the Royal Archers, the Duke of Buccleuch, on horseback, followed the carriage.
    The Queen reached the west door of the Abbey at halfpast eleven, and was there received by the great Officers of State, the noblemen bearing the Regalia, and the Bishops carrying the Patina, the Chalice, and the Bible. Her Majesty then repaired to her robing chamber, and soon after twelve the grand procession passed up the nave into the choir, in the centre of which was a raised dais covered with cloth of gold, on which was placed the chair of homage. Farther on, within the chancel and facing the altar, was placed St. Edward’s chair. The altar was covered with magnificent gold plate. As the Queen advanced, the anthem, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord,” was sung by the choir, at the close of which the boys of Westminster School shouted “Vivat Victoria Regina.” Then, amid a solemn hush, the Queen passed to a faldstool and knelt in silent prayer, after which the Ceremonial proceeded. First came “The Recognition,” by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who advanced to the Queen, accompanied by the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal, preceded by the Deputy-Garter, and repeated these words, “Sirs, I here present unto you Queen Victoria, the undoubted Queen of this realm; wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage, are you willing to do the same?” In answer burst forth the universal cry, “God save Queen Victoria,” repeated as the Archbishop turned to the north, south, and west, the Queen turning at the same time in the same direction. Her Majesty then advanced to the altar and made her first offering of a pall or altar-cloth of gold, which was laid on the altar, on which had been previously placed the Chalice, Patina, and Bible. An ingot of gold, of one pound weight, was then presented by the Queen to the Archbishop, by whom it was placed in the oblation-basin. After the Litany and the first portion of the Communion Service, the Sermon was preached by the Bishop of London, at the conclusion of which the Oath was administered by the Archbishop of Canterbury. After asking the Queen if she would govern according to the Statutes of Parliament, and the laws and customs of the realm, and whether she would cause law and justice in mercy to be executed, he further asked, “Will