Chapter 2376 - 306: The Mad Parade Ceremony (Part 2)

As the melody of "God Save the Queen" played, the elite cavalry unit of Scotland Yard led the charge out of Buckingham Palace, followed by selected stalwarts from the Royal Guard and Guard Cavalry Regiment.

The carriages of various foreign envoys stationed in Britain followed the cavalry procession, having waited for a long time at Birdcage Walk.

At the front was the carriage of the Mexican envoy, followed by carriages from Portugal, Sweden, Saxony, Hanover, Saxony, Greece, Sardinia, Spain, America, Netherlands, Brazil, Bavaria, Denmark, Belgium, Wurttemberg, and the Kingdom of Prussia.

Following the envoys were, according to the reported sequence, the carriages of special envoys from various countries.

Perhaps to show respect for important countries, the Foreign Office and the Lord Chamberlain’s Office arranged the vehicles of envoys from the Ottoman Empire, France, Russia, and Austria to appear last.

Following the envoys were the military bands, divisions of the Royal Guards, and carriages of royal family members such as the Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Sussex.

Following this was the Queen’s Bargemaster and his forty-eight sailors, acting as front-runners for twelve of Queen Victoria’s royal carriages.

Before the parade passed through Grosvenor Gate and Hyde Park Corner, the mixed teams of Rifle Brigade and Scotland Yard officers had already entered. They lined up along the parade route, and the guards marched forward, setting up posts every thirty yards, quickly completing the clearance work.

Upon the commander’s order, the Royal Artillery within Hyde Park fired the salute again.

Bang bang bang bang!

The 21-gun salute sounded in order.

For a moment, smoke billowed within Hyde Park, and Union Jack flags fluttered up and down outside the park’s pathways.

Gentlemen took off their hats to pay respects as the parade passed by, and ladies were almost moved to tears.

Usually, such large gatherings can lead to disturbances. Yet today’s event was entirely different; everyone’s focus was on the parade carriages, with laughter and joy everywhere. Even when brief arguments arose, a glance would reveal that police officers were scolding young spectators attempting to climb trees for a better view.

The Earl of Dorset driven his two-wheeled carriage past the citizens himself. Known for his stern demeanor as an Upper House noble, today he seemed especially cheerful; as citizens cheered, he would even loosen the reins and smile as he tipped his hat to the citizens.

The Countess of Bresington’s park carriage was drawn by two gray steeds. Clearly, the Countess paid close attention to the ceremonial colors today, as her drivers wore matching gray tailcoats.

However, the most spectacle-worthy carriage might have been that of Marshal Soult of France.

Soult’s carriage was greeted with cheers from the crowd as soon as it appeared.

This royal ceremonial vehicle was not crafted in England, adorned at its four corners with silver crowns.

According to The Sun, it was originally the personal carriage of King Louis Philippe of France.

But to highlight the importance of the coronation ceremony, it was shipped directly from Paris to London and designated for Envoy Marshal Soult during the coronation procession.

As the ceremonial gunfire raised the parade to its climax, London streets and alleys were filled with jubilance.

Yet, between the mid-lower and upper classes, there was another group equally excited for the coronation.

Sunlight cascaded over the upscale residential area of Mayfair.

Eld, Dickens, Disraeli, Darwin, friends of Sir Arthur, were gathered on the balcony of a residence in Mayfair, watching this century-long spectacle from above.

Eld stretched his neck to peer out: "Let me see, who’s following Her Majesty’s carriage? The Lord Chamberlain, the Duke of Argyle, then Her Majesty’s Chief Deputy, Sir Herbert Taylor and Royal Horse Master Sir George Quentin, the Queen’s Knight Fuzed... wait, where’s Arthur? Wasn’t he arranged among the court officials?"

Disraeli sipped his champagne, glancing at the parade below which occasionally revealed his Lower House colleagues, feeling the sunlight excessively bright today.

"Wait a bit longer; maybe they’ve placed him with government officials."

Dickens leaned against the railing, his eyes wide open, scanning the endless parade: "How many people is this? My heavens, who can figure out how this sequence is arranged? Maybe only those ancient relics at the Heraldic College know?"

Darwin scratched his head nearby: "Maybe I could take a stab at it. I suppose it’s not too different from classifying flora and fauna."

Eld turned and mocked: "No difference? Planning to shove the Lower House into the zoo and sweep the Upper House into the botanical garden?"

Just as Eld finished, Dickens suddenly slapped his shoulder: "Quit joking, look, the army generals are out!"

Following Dickens’ indication, Eld gazed forward, leading up front was Major General Gardner, followed by Deputy Military Supplies Director Colonel Fritz, Deputy Officer of the Royal Artillery Sir Alexander Dixon, Director of Military Supplies Sir Willoby Gordon, and Military Secretary of the Army Commander Lord Fitzroy Somerset.

Behind them were holders of honorary titles such as Royal Hunters, Free People’s Hunting Dog Leader, and foresters, and alongside Victoria’s six royal horses, apart from coachmen, there was the Prime Minister’s nephew and private secretary, Knight Marshal (honorary title) Sir John Lamb.

With Queen Victoria’s royal carriage slowly entering the Hyde Park driveway, the atmosphere almost instantly reached its peak.

This royal carriage, costing up to 1,000 pounds, was crafted from vibrant red silk and Genoa velvet, fully embroidered with gold-thread motifs, and its side panels, badges, tassels, ropes, and trims were crafted from gold and silver.

Sunlight draped over Victoria’s royal carriage, its golden body shimmering, seemingly filling the surrounding air with silver specks of light.

The gathered citizens couldn’t help but explode into thunderous applause, each turn of the carriage wheel accompanied by fresh rounds of clapping, and as it passed each viewing stand, the masses roared like waves.

Hats scattered everywhere, and ladies who’d settled for a long time on viewing stands couldn’t resist standing up, faces brimming with satisfaction and pride.

Lads spoke of their admiration for the Queen, while girls imagined what it’d be like if they were seated in the carriage themselves.

On the Mayfair balcony, Arthur’s friends likewise focused on the royal carriage below, but aside from pride, a question silently arose within them.

Where had their friend Sir Arthur Hastings gone?

In fact, the same question perplexed not only them but even Queen Victoria, smiling and waving to the populace from within the royal carriage.

Her gaze continued to scan the forward parade, yet Arthur remained elusive.

That person, both her confidant and friend, where had he gone during such a glorious moment?

Was he ill?

If he was, why hadn’t anyone else mentioned it?

Or perhaps...

Had he encountered some problem on the way?

Could it be...

Had his heart troubles resurfaced?

She couldn’t help but frown, tightening her grip on the coronation gown around her knees: "Arthur, where have you gone?"

The questions Victoria could consider, Eld and the others naturally could as well.

Dickens watched the parade gradually fade, still feeling unsatisfied: "Today’s spectacle is astonishing, truly unparalleled."

Disraeli gritted his teeth against pain, patting his chest which throbbed slightly: "I swear! If there’s another event like this, I’ll certainly not stand in the audience!"

Darwin exhaled deeply, stretching: "Alright! Let’s find a place to eat. I heard Hyde Park has a fair this afternoon, how about we have a look then?"

Eld scanned them with furrowed brows: "You all... aren’t you curious? Where’s Arthur gone?"

Darwin yawned at the mention: "Arthur, Arthur doesn’t need you worrying; maybe he’s headed to Westminster first?"

"Impossible! He expressly told me he’d be in the parade, yet now he’s missing." Eld cursed: "Son of a b****, could the Charter Party radicals have blocked him in some alley?"