Alexander's funeral

October 16, 1934

Today was a great national, if indeed international, pageant of sorrow" for the late King Alexander of Yugoslavia, who was assassinated at the start of a State visit to France last week. "Devout peasants" who considered Alexander one of their own lined the streets of Belgrade, holding crucifixes and lighted candles, as the funeral procession past.
Alexander's coffin was taken from the national cathedral and placed on a gun carriage for the final journey to the train station.
The funeral procession was preceded by a distinguished Serbian general who carried Alexander's crown, which will be worn again when the young King reaches his majority.
Eleven-year-old King Peter dressed with "the simplicity of an American schoolboy, walked between his mother, Queen Marie, and his grandmother, Queen Marie of Roumania. As Peter passed by, flanked by armed guards, the crowds wept. King Boris of Bulgaria and King Carol of Roumania were also provided with extra security.
The coffin was placed upon a crepe covered train with white crosses painted on it. The train ride was a mere fifty miles to Topola, for burial next to Alexander's grandfather.