As an organisation with a formal link to the Crown via a Royal Charter first granted in 1831, the Law Society has officially marked several royal funerals and coronations. A review of the council minutes and annual reports – not to mention Gazettes – by the Society’s librarians reveals some intriguing details. As well as a pleasing thread of continuity.
On the death of Queen Victoria in January 1902, a message was taken in person to Buckingham Palace. The Law Society’s Hall, library and offices were closed for the day of the funeral.
At Edward VII’s coronation in August 1902, the Society was represented by a senior council member, Mr John Hollams. The Society president and vice president were also present in other capacities. The king’s death in 1910 was marked with a loyal address.
Council in attendance
King George V’s coronation at St Paul’s – for which the Law Society’s premises were closed – was attended by no fewer than 50 council members, picked in order of seniority. The Society still has a copy of the programme in its archive. His death was marked with a loyal address and again the Society’s offices were closed on the day of the funeral. Solicitors were advised to close their offices too, except for business that could not be postponed. The president, Sir Harry Pritchard, accompanied by Lady Pritchard, attended the funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Oddly, neither the Society’s annual report nor the council minutes have any mention of the brief reign of King Edward VIII, in 1936. Perhaps the Society was privy to the Wallis Simpson scandal – a subject diligently avoided by the British press.
At the coronation of his brother, George VI, in 1937, the Society’s seat was taken by president Hubert Arthur Dowson. A further five double seats were allocated by ballot. As part of the celebrations, a gift of £300 was shared by the Society’s secretarial staff.
A 70-year reign begins
George VI’s death was marked with a rare full-page glossy photograph in the March 1952 edition of the Gazette, opposite loyal addresses to The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty and Her Majesty Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. For the first time in half a century, the legal world had to accustom itself to the title Queen’s Counsel – a term replete with historic memories.
On the day of the funeral, the Society’s premises were closed and solicitors again recommended closing their offices. Advice was issued on the wearing of black armbands and a donation of 250 guineas was made to the King George VI Memorial Fund.
In the following year, Society president Sir Dingwall Latham Bateson attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Seats along the coronation procession route were allocated by ballot. A reception was organised for all Commonwealth lawyers in the UK at the time. The Gazette published a loyal address to the new queen and a history of past coronations from William II of England in 1087, entitled ‘The History of England in Miniature’.
Few would have guessed that it would be a full 70 years before such an occasion would be repeated.
Pictured above: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 1953. The Gazette published a loyal address and a history of past coronations from William II of England, entitled ‘The History of England in Miniature’
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