King George V's
Accession to the Throne
6th May 1910

The Proclamation. Castle Hill, Windsor.
11th May 1910

Edward VII died on 6th May 1910 at Buckingham Palace in London to be succeeded by George V who was proclaimed king around the country in the following week. The proclamation in Windsor took place on May 11th.

Edward VII was buried on 20th May 1910, in St George's Chapel, Windsor. The funeral is reported here.

The Mayor Alderman C F Dyson and Corporation of Windsor in front of the Queen Victoria Statue at the foot of Castle Hill as the Proclamation is read of the death of Edward VII and the Accession of King George V.

The photo above was taken by T E Cochrane of Queens Road, Windsor. A number of his photographs and postcards of Windsor are included on this site.

A similar view of The Proclamation. Note the spectators above the castle walls.

King George V's State Entry into Windsor
1st July 1911

Following the coronation of King George V on 22nd June 1911, nine days later the King and Queen, Mary of Teck, processed from Slough through Eton and onto to Windsor (the Royal Progress) in an open landau. With them were Princess Mary, aged 14, looking towards the camera, and Prince George, aged 9. Here they are halted on Windsor Bridge on their way from from Eton. On the bridge they were addressed by Lord Desborough on behalf of the Conservators of the River Thames before making their state entry to Windsor where the Royal Party was greeted by Mayor Frederick Dyson, the Town Clerk, Aldermen and Burgesses of the borough, alongside other dignitaries, by Queen Victoria's Statue.

The Daily Graphic of Monday July 11th 1911 published a full report of the event, together with the full page picture above. Here George V is delivering his Speech of Thanks in reply to the Address of Welcome presented by the Mayor.

Inset top left: Lord Grenfell, Lord Rothschild and Mr McCormack who presented addresses to the King on his arrival at Slough.

Inset bottom left: Sir Frederick Dyson, Mayor of Windsor, who was knighted at the foot of the Queen Victoria Statue.

An extract from the Daily Graphic full page photo showing a wreath at the foot of the Queen Victoria Statue

Although this picture is a little indistinct, the royal party are now passing the Parish Church in the High Street, Windsor on their way to Park Street and the Long Walk to enter the castle by the George IV gateway and into the Upper Ward (Engine Court). The postcard (photographed by J Roberts) was posted by a member of the public who, according to the message on the reverse of the card, is to be seen in the church yard. The card was sent to a Miss Curran in Sussex on July 11th. Apparently the sender was hoping to get a letter from her! The postcard had been produced in just 10 days following the State Entry.

The day's events were reported by The Daily Graphic in their issue dated Monday July 3rd 1911.

The Daily Graphic front page showing the royal procession proceeding up the Long Walk towards the George IV Gateway. These days this part of the Long Walk is closed off to the public but in 1911, for this occasion at least, the avenue was open to all.
  The Daily Graphic caption reads 'Their Majesties joyously received at Windsor during their drive through the private grounds to the castle - referred to by the King as "Our Beautiful home" - where they enjoyed a much-needed rest after the fatigue of the Coronation festivities.'

The article below has been scanned from The Daily Graphic, Monday July 3rd 1911, page 9. Although we have taken care to read and correct it, if a mistake is spotted, do please let us know!! To contact us, please email Thamesweb.

Welcomed Home To Windsor

Their Majesties' Progress From Slough

Coronation Robes
Public Inspection at The Imperial Institute

Though the Coronation festivities are over, the King and Queen are being kept busy in the country. On Saturday they drove from Slough to Windsor, and received on the way nine addresses, to which Royal replies were made.
  To-day the King reviews the Officers' Training Corps at Windsor, and tomorrow some 30,000 Boy Scouts.
  On Wednesday the Court returns to London.
  The King and Queen have most graciously arranged that their Majesties' Coronation robes shall be on view at the Imperial Institute for the week beginning on Monday, July 10th, in order that the many visitors from the different parts of the Empire and others now in London may have an opportunity of seeing them. Further particulars will be announced shortly,

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A Day of Addresses

The King's Happy Replies To
Nine Deputations

The Royal Family left London on Saturday afternoon for Windsor, where the Court will remain until next Wednesday, Their Majesties took train at Paddington at five minutes past four, and alighted at Slough, whence they drove in semi-State to the Castle, receiving en route no fewer than nine addresses of loyalty and welcome, to which the King made replies.
  From Buckingham Palace to the station the Royal party also drove in semi-State open carriages, with outriders, and throughout the drive their Majesties were received with great enthusiasm. The King wore the uniform of admiral, and the Queen a fawn cloak and white hat trimmed with pink feathers. The Prince of Wales, Princess Mary and Prince George rode in the carriage with the King and Queen.
  On arrival at Paddington their Majesties were received by Viscount Churchill, chairman of the Great Western Company, Lord Barrymore; Mr. S. E. Palmer, deputy-chairman; Sir James C. Inglis, general manager; Mr. Charles Aldington, superintendent of the Line; and Mr. J. Dunster, superintendent of the London Division. The Royal special left in charge of Viscount Churchill, accompanied by other officials.
  Slough was reached at 4.32, and the reception accorded to the Royal party was of the most cordial nature. Their Majesties were received by Lord Rothschild (chairman of the Reception Committee) and Lady Rothschild, Mr. W. Baring du Pre, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, and Mrs. du Pre. Miss Peggy Behrens, a grand-daughter of the Lord Lieutenant, presented a bouquet to the Queen, and Master Jack Behrens handed a basket of flowers to Princess Mary.

"Our Neighbours"

A number of presentations were made to His Majesty, who also received addresses from the Slough Urban District Council, the Buckinghamshire County Council, and the Buckinghamshire Territorial Association. The addresses were handed to His Majesty by Mr. W. J. McCormack, Mr. Daniel Clarke (deputy-chairman of the county council), and Lord Dalmeny (vice-chairman of the Territorial Association) respectively. Replying to the address of the Slough Urban District Council, His Majesty said: 'The strong impression which we have sustained of the spontaneous loyalty shown us by the immense assemblies during our progresses through the capital in no way diminishes our pleasure in the personal good-will of our neighbours and those who know us in our home at Windsor."
   In the course of his reply to the Buckingham County Council, His Majesty said: "We shall often, when at Windsor, have occasion to visit your county, and we feel sure that the loyalty and affection to which the earnestness of your welcome bears witness to-day will never fail us."
   The reply to the address of the Territorial Force Association of Buckingham contained this sentence: "It is my wish and intention to follow in the steps of my father, and to strive, as he did, to promote the welfare of the Territorial Forces."
   The arrival at Windsor partook of the nature of the triumphal entry. The roadways, stands, balconies, housetops, and windows all were packed with sightseers. The streets there lined by Guardsmen, Territorials, and firemen. When Eton College was reached a real Eton cheer rent the air. The guard of honour furnished by the Officers' Training Corps presented arms, and the cavalcade came to a halt in front of the school yard, where their Majesties were received by the Provost and Headmaster. Miss Warren presented to the Queen a beautiful bouquet of carnations, tied with a Royal Blue ribbon, and Miss Lyttelton offered a similar token of loyalty to Princess Mary.
   The Provost then handed an address to the King on behalf of the governing body, and Mr. J. B. Haldane, captain of the school, presented one from the boys, both of which the King accepted and acknowledged, amid bursts of cheering. Replying to the Governing Body, His Majesty said: " We count upon you to serve us still further by fostering in those committed to your care a standard of manliness, knowledge, courtesy and public spirit, which will not be unworthy of the renown of Eton.
   To the King's Scholars and Oppidans of Eton College and School, His Majesty said: "The British Empire requires at the present time hard services from all its sons. It requires the hardest service from those to whom most has been given. You will, I am sure, in the course of your lives, lose no opportunity of rendering service to your country and to the nation. These opportunities occur in times of peace as often as in times of war."

"The Pride Of Englishmen"

The procession then moved off, but on Barnes Pool Bridge there was a further halt in order that an address might be presented from the Urban District Council on behalf of the town. On Windsor Bridge Lord Desborough presented an address on behalf of the Conservators of the River Thames.
   The Royal reply to the Eton Urban District Council contained an assurance that the welfare of Eton would always be the subject of His Majesty's earnest solicitude; and to the Thames Conservancy His Majesty said: "The Thames is the pride of every Englishman who has learnt its story or experienced the fascination of its summer beauty. The upper reaches which you control contribute to the health and enjoyment of our people as its tidal waters serve in the development of their commerce and industries."
   No sooner had Windsor Bridge been crossed than the Royal Standard was hoisted on the Keep of the Round Tower of the Castle. Joy bells rang out from the distant towers and the populace cheered again and again. At the foot of Castle Hill the Royal carriage stopped beside a dais near Queen Victoria's statue, where the Windsor Territorials formed a guard of honour. The Mayoress presented to the Queen a bouquet of carnations tied with Windsor colours, and the Recorder of the Borough read an address from the inhabitants, which the Mayor presented to the King.
   Replying to this, the King said: "It is my earnest wish to know and understand the legitimate interests and feelings of all classes of my subjects at home and overseas. The progress and prosperity of Windsor holds an intimate place in our thoughts. It has given me pleasure to be able to set aside for your use as a recreation ground a portion of the Royal park. The cultivation of physical efficiency is of peculiar importance in the present age of mental exertion, and I feel sure that the youth of Windsor will take full advantage of the opportunities which will thus be afforded them for healthful and manly recreation."

Mayor Of Windsor Knighted

Following this came an unexpected but much appreciated incident. The King called for Sir Henry Legge's sword and knighted the Mayor of Windsor, amidst the cheers of the people, with whom Sir Frederick Dyson is very popular. A number of gentlemen were presented to His Majesty by Prince Christian, in his capacity as High Steward of the Borough, amongst them being the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Berkshire, the member for Windsor, the Recorder, and the Town Clerk.

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TO-DAY'S REVIEW

The King, who is expected to appear in field marshal's uniform, will ride on horseback to-day from Windsor Castle to the parade ground in Windsor Great Park where His Majesty is to review the Officers' Training Corps. Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary will drive to the ground in an open carriage. The Duke of Connaught, Prince Christian, and Prince Alexander of Teck will accompany the King, and others in attendance will be Field Marshal Sir W. G. Nicholson (Chief of the Imperial General Staff), Major-General J. S. Ewart (Adjutant-General to the Forces), General Sir John French (Inspector-General of the Forces), Field Marshal Lord Roberts, His Majesty's personal aides-de-camp, and the officers of the Household.

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The King's Thanks

In a letter dated Friday last from Buckingham Palace to the Dean of St. Paul's, Sir Arthur Bigge says: "The King desires me to tell you how very much pleased and impressed both this Majesty and the Queen were with today's splendid and dignified service in St. Paul's Cathedral, which their Majesties greatly appreciated and thought most happily chosen. "The music was, as always, worthy of the Cathedral's high reputation. His Majesty thanks you and all concerned, for the very- efficient manner in which the arrangements were carried out."

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