Council of State

Their Majesties King George and Queen Mary drove around the corner from Buckingham Palace to Victoria Station. The morning was cold and misty, but a large crowd was abroad to cheer its Sovereign and his Consort. Many times the King was obliged to lift his "bowler" in acknowledgment of the ovations. Ten minutes later, the boat train with a royal coach attached steamed out of the glass-roofed station, taking their Majesties on their first and well-earned vacation since the accession.

The King and Queen went to Dover and crossed over to Calais. They refused the French Government's offer of a special train and proceeded by train de luxe to Genoa, where the royal yacht Victoria and Albert waited to take their Majesties on a Mediterranean cruise.

Previous to his departure, the King held a Privy Council at Buckingham Palace at which he nominated a Council of State of four to rule in his name during his temporary absence. The four chosen were Prince Henry, Their Majesties' third son (who, rumor has it, is to become Duke of Edinburgh on the King's next birthday), the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord High Chancellor (Lord Cave), the Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin). They, or any two of them, were empowered to transact all the business usually transacted by the King, except the granting of titles or the dissolving of Parliament. And, "all and singular, archbishops, dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, bishops, barons, baronets, knights, citizens, burgesses and all our officers, ministers and subjects," were enjoined to "help and counsel" these four.

This is the first Council of State to be held in the present reign. One was held during the reign of Queen Victoria and many during the reign of King Edward, who was prone to wander at fitful intervals all over the Continent.

Usually, one or more of the great officers of state, the Archbishop of either Canterbury or Cork and a member of the Royal Family, are chosen to be members of the Council (a special committee of the Privy Council). Prince Henry was chosen in this instance as the Prince of Wales was on the point of departing on the African and South American tour, the Duke of

York was in East Africa and the Duke of Connaught (King's uncle) on the French Riviera.