Etiquette and Protocol for New King

 

As soon as he had spoken the cheers broke out again– “Vive le Roi! Vive le Roi!” and soon there was added to it, “Vive la Reine!” for the two are immensely popular. The Queen looked about as if wondering whether this were correct protocol, then seeing that her little son was waving she waved too, raising her right hand high and joyously.– Public domain image of King Leopold III of Belgium

Leopold Ascends Belgian Throne; Pledge to Serve Nation Cheered

Country's Grief Melts as King Takes Oath After Triumphal Horseback Ride-Cries of ‘Vive le Roi!’ Drown Shouts of Reds-3-Year-Old Prince Finds It Day of Fun

BRUSSELS, Feb. 23. Standing with his right hand stretched up ward, the index and middle fingers joined, and facing his Parliament, King Albert's eldest son Leopold in a clear loud voice took this oath to his people today:

“I swear to observe the Constitution and laws of the Belgian peo ple and to maintain the national independence and integrity of terri tory.” There had been a dead silence as he spoke. Then from every throat in the great building a cry rose thunderously: “Vive le Roi!”


Leopold III, fourth King of his dynasty, at the age of 32 had as sumed in succession to his father the task to which he was born and for which he was trained-that of guiding and inspiring the govern ment of his country. To Leopold's left, as he took the oath, sat his wife, Queen Astrid, with their two children. Everybody's eyes were as much on them as on the King himself. She was dressed in deep mourning, but her veil was pushed back from her beautiful face. Her children, dressed in white, sat on each side of her Princess Josephine Charlotte and Prince Baudouin, who now becomes Crown Prince.


Today the little Prince's cares were far in the future. He fidgeted on his big chair, looked at his mother, then slid down and climbed up onto her lap. Later when the cheering broke out he got down again, laughing and waving his hand joyously. For he is a merry 3-year-old and everything was fun today. For everybody, his presence lightened what would have been a solemn, if not sad proceeding. It gave it life and continuity and removed the shadow of death that would otherwise have lain over it.


That scene was the climax of a morning that was splendid in simple pageantry. On his favorite horse, a big chestnut, none too easy to manage amid these cheering crowds and thundering bands, Leopold rode out this morning just after 9 o'clock from his château at Laeken, on the outskirts of Brussels, to take possession of his capital. In front of him went a bugle band of guides on horseback. Before him and behind him rode two squadrons of lancers and all his army staff. Two paces in front of him were his immediate aides and two paces behind him his brother, Prince Charles.

Looks Straight at People

If one had picked him for the rôle of King one could not have found anywhere a finer face or finer figure. His high-colored, sunburned face was calm and solemn. His large brown eyes looked straight at his people, turning from right to left as mile after mile he rode in his khaki uniform with scarlet hatband through their cheering ranks, saluting continuously. He rode easily and handsomely, for, although he is not so tall as his father, he has a fine cavalryman's figure.


There was grief in his rather tight-set mouth. But as the ceremonies of the day wore on, that expression changed. One may be a loving son, but it is also much to be a young King whose people have shouted themselves hoarse in loyalty and affection. It is perhaps no easy task to govern, but it is a glorious thing to be a young King with a lovely wife and two jolly children. For his people, today’s pageantry ended on that scene – King Leopold and Queen Astrid on a balcony of their palace in Brussels, she with their daughter and he holding their son in his arms, all four waving.


There were very many, both men and women, whose eyes filled with tears and whose throats tightened on the final “Vive le Roi!”

Burgomasters Meet Him

Along the route, both before and after the taking of the oath, there had been other ceremonies. Outside the château gates, as he entered what is technically Brussels territory, he was met by the Burgomasters of all districts headed by that veteran friend of his father, Burgomaster Adolphe Max, who came to welcome him into the city.


Burgomaster Max, who could talk to a German military governor without flinching, spoke today with emotion. It was just twenty-five years ago that he had welcomed at the same place, King Albert, when he made his joyous entry into the capital. Briefly, he recalled that dawn of another reign and its glorious, if tragic, memories. In two sentences, he told of the immense sorrow that the nation had felt at King Albert's death and how only yesterday the nation had sought to express it.


There was complete sincerity, backed by knowledge, in his compliments that today the people of Brussels would acclaim the Prince who had merited their respect and affection by the dignity of his life and by his constant effort to prepare himself for the high task that faced him.


Then there was another ceremony beside the grave of the Unknown Soldier. Where only four days ago, the body of King Albert had lain in silent communion with the spirit of the unknown one who had died in his service. Leopold remained at salute on his horse for a full minute. For once the cry of “Vive le Roi!” was stilled. There was immense emotion in the crowd. But as Leopold’s arm fell from the salute the music of the “Brabançonne,” the Belgian national anthem, broke out, gay and lilting. Today was a beginning, not an end.

Colorful Assembly Gathers

In the parliament house, which is known as the Palace of the Nation, had been gathered not only members of the Senate and the Chamber, but a great assembly of dignitaries. On one side making a patch of purple and black were the bishops and the clergy. In scarlet on the other side sat the high justices and magistrates of Brussels. In gold and black with many nodding plumes among them were the members of the diplomatic corps. Behind the Queen and her children, in the bright uniforms of all nations, stood the Princes who had come from England, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Rumania and Siam to represent their Kings and countries at yesterday's sad and today's joyous ceremonies.


Everyone else was in uniform or full evening dress– everyone except two. They came in ordinary business suits rather unpressed and with soft collars just to prove they were Communists. Perhaps that was Moscow’s order although when invited to dinner elsewhere in the world, Moscow’s representatives mostly conform with ordinary etiquette. But dressing out of harmony was not enough for these two. They felt it their duty to try to make a disturbance. If, as they had announced yesterday, they had other plans for today, these plans failed to materialize. For along the whole royal route, which took al most three hours to ride, there was never an incident, never even a seditious cry.


But when on the stroke of 11 o'clock the doors of Parliament were thrown open and an usher in a majestic voice cried out, “Le Roi!” there was a burst from these two throats– a kind of squeal that may have been, “Vive les Soviets.” Immediately, it was drowned in an immense roar of welcome from everybody else.

Leopold Walks to Throne

Unhurriedly, indeed rather slowly, Leopold, a gallant figure in his uniform and top boots, walked toward the throne, which had been prepared for him in the place of the usual presidential seat and speaker’s tribune. Long draperies of red velvet hung from the ceiling. A great crown surmounted the throne. On scarlet cushions, with golden fringes, had been embroidered the letter “L.” The rampant lion of Belgium and the national motto, “l'Union fait la force,” were emblazoned on the throne and on the curtains behind it.


For a moment Leopold stood facing the audience. There was no call for order. Gradually the cheering died away. Even the two bold Communists did not dare break that silence as he raised his hand and took the oath. He spoke it first in French and then, as the law demands, in Flemish for his is a dual country, and he speaks both languages, as well as English, with equal fluency. His voice round and pleasing.


As soon as he had spoken the cheers broke out again– “Vive le Roi! Vive le Roi!” and soon there was added to it, “Vive la Reine!” for the two are immensely popular. The Queen looked about as if wondering whether this were correct protocol, then seeing that her little son was waving she waved too, raising her right hand high and joyously. – By P. J. Phillip, Wireless to The New York Times, February 24, 1934

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia