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Crowds gathered as the Royal Family made their way from Buckingham
Palace to St Paul’s.
The Royal procession stopped at Temple Bar for the traditional
ceremony where the King was presented the Pearl Sword of the
City.
The Lord Mayor of London, who enjoys precedence “of every subject”
within the boundaries of the City of London, surrendered his sword,
thus indicating the precedence of the Sovereign. The King then
returned the sword and the Lord Mayor led the procession on to St
Paul’s, reported The BBC.
[youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldd7uPuIDSE?rel=0&w=640&h=480]
The Tower of London and Hyde Park then fired a 41 gun salute.
The King, Queen Elizabeth, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret and
other Royal family member attended a special service where
afterwards, His Majesty pronounced the festival opening in a
broadcast from the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral.
The King and Queen later in the day were present at the dedication
service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Royal
Festival Hall.
photo credit: HerryLawford via photopin cc]]>
