Friday, November 28, 2014

Crowds gathering in London for George and Marina's wedding

November 28, 1934

Thousands of people are "taking up positions along the route of the wedding procession of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece,  reports the Chicago Tribune.
By 8 p.m., despite the pouring rain, many have gathered on the pavements, "sitting on apple boxes and stools, and with blankets around their legs."  They plan to "stay out all night" hoping for a "fleeting glance of the passing pageantry of the duke and his bride."
Many people who have been waiting "all night and, from early morning," are doomed to have no chance of seeing "anything of the people in front of them, but they were content just to be there,"
Street hawkers have been doing a "roaring trade selling hot tea, buns, peanuts, and chocolate."  Other vendors offered "Greek and British flags to be waved as the royal procession" passes by.
Many women are wearing 'Marina' hats "made of fancy paper." 
The crowds are "so vast" that London traffic has come to a standstill as "cheering crowds and blocked automobiles" delayed the return of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina, who were returning home after a night out at the theater. They did not return to York House and Buckingham Palace until after midnight.

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