EX-KING OF AFGHANISTAN

that swept over the first Royal carriage, containing King
George and King Amanullah, as it drove out of the
station and along a route lined with troops. It was
maintained when there followed the second landau with
the two Queens. London, as it invariably does, waxed
hysterical over Royalty, thrilling to the depths of its
democratic heart. Two Kings and two Queens to look
at ! Englishmen and Afghans talking together ! It was
a great day for rubber-necks, and apparently everyone
had forgotten how only nine years before British soldiers
had sweated in combat with the soldiers of this alert
little Afghan.

The Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace had been
decorated in Rose du Barri for the occasion. As the
British official wireless had promised, the furniture had
been added to by little touches which might serve to
still the pangs of home-sickness in the visitors. There
were Eastern rugs and brasses. There were inlaid tables
and carvings for the delight of the guests.

At the State reception and banquet that night, Queen
Souriya wore a low-cut Paris gown and the famous ear-
rings. Amanullah wore a new levee uniform. The
Queen of England wore Persian blue, and on her breast
gleamed the Koh-i-noor. The Bang sat down in the
uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, and among his
decorations was the Star of Afghanistan.

Princes and diplomats and councillors formed the
guests at the banquet. There were speeches, in which
the King referred to his constant watch on the progress
of Bang Amanullah in educating his country, and trusted
that he would be granted many years of life to continue
his work. Amanullah replied with the usual compli-
ments in Persian.

There were visits to the Cenotaph and to Westminster
Abbey. Queen Mary accompanied the visitors to Drury

109