The Royal embarkation was devoid of formality. There was no piping aboard, the Empress of Australia sailing as a merchantman. Shore and shu batteries, however, fired a Royal Salute when the White Ensign broke from the stern, the Royal Standard from the main-mast, and the Kin personal flag from the fore-mast.
Tae Princesses followed their parents up the ay, Princess Eliza beth helping Princess Margaret up the steep incline.
The King, the Queen and the Princesses went immediately to the Royal suite to meet Queen Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
Fifteen minutes were spent in farewells, after which Queen Mary and the—other members of the Royal The proceedings were televised, both at Buckingham Palace and at Ware: loo. People following the ceremonies in this manner saw Their Majesties kiss Queen Mary and other members of the Roy2l Family goodbye, and then mingle with the crowds of distinguished personages in the decorated station. They saw the train finally steaming out amid deafening cheers.
The great popular acclaim was r newed when the Royal train arrived at Portsmouth at 2.10 this afternoon, and Their Majesties walked across the Square to receive the keys of the Fortress of Portsmouth. The streets of Portsmouth, like those of London, were brightly decorated with flags and packed with cheering crowds.
The Princesses walked hand-in-hand behind their parents across the Square, where, with military accompaniments, the Officer-in-Command presented the King and Queen with the keys of the Foriress. Afterwards, Their Majesties, accompanied By Princess Elizabeth and Princess Mar-
Fámily left the ship.
Queen Mary and the Princesses took up a position at the end of the jetty, watching the departure apart from the crowd.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.