Lord Roberts' Arrival in London
A conquering Boer War hero enjoys a rapturous homecoming parade
At the turn of the 20th century, any procession featuring royals or military heroes could be relied upon to draw a crowd (and, of course, a film camera) and this one has both. Though we can't be sure we see him, this procession is thought to be the one on marking the return from South Africa of Lord Roberts, commander of the British Forces during the Second Boer War. Playing second fiddle - just this once - are the Duke and Duchess of York (that is, the future King George V and Queen Mary).
With the war all-but won, Roberts had handed command to Lord Kitchener, and was now enjoying the universal praise. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter around the same time, with many other awards to follow. The camera's view from what is probably a first-floor window overlooking the parade captures the dignitaries as they pass, though which, if any, of the several military bigwigs in the carriages is Lord Roberts. A surge in the crowd signalling the arrival of the Duke and Duchess. They appear to be in mourning for Queen Victoria (who died on 22 January).
Tags
Pomp and Circumstance
Parades, processions and royal visits were a great draw for early filmmakers - not only did they guarantee spectacle but their fixed place in the calendar allowed for planning ahead. Even minor royals commanded endless fascination, while the Queen herself was the greatest celebrity of all.
Even fleeting images of Victoria were hot property and her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was the grandest event of the era, attracting the biggest assembly of the global film industry to date. Footage from the day played across the Empire and well beyond.
44 videos in this collection
1
2
Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901)
3
Royal Proclamation of Death of Queen Victoria, Blackburn (1901)
4
The Queen at Sheffield
5
Queen Victoria's Jubilee
6
Jubilee Procession
7
Procession of Troops
8
Procession of Troops
9
Funeral of Queen Victoria: Funeral Procession at Cowes
10
Funeral of Queen Victoria: Procession Starting from Victoria Station
11
Funeral of Queen Victoria: The Marble Arch
12
Funeral of Queen Victoria: The Procession passing into Windsor Park
13
Funeral of Queen Victoria Soldiers Manoeuvre in Square
14
Proclamation of King Edward VII, Market Place, Accrington (1901)
15
Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert and Liner Ophir
16
Afternoon Tea in the Garden of Clarence House
17
H.M. The Queen at Garden Party, Buckingham Palace, June 1897
18
Queen Victoria's Funeral: Ships Fire a Salute in the Solent
19
Scenes at Balmoral
20
The Late Queen's Visit to Dublin: Royal Procession Entering the City Gates
21
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: North 2)
22
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: South 1)
23
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: South 4)
24
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (York Road 5)
25
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: North 1)
26
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Prestwich Footage
27
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee unidentified Lumiere film (3)
28
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (St Paul's: South 3)
29
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (York Road 3)
30
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (York Road 1)
31
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Unidentified (2)
32
Queen Victoria's Funeral - Prestwich
33
Their Majesties Entering and Leaving the Victoria Tower Entrance of the Houses of Parliament
34
Through Three Reigns
35
Trooping the Colour
36
Diamond Jubilee Procession Taken from Apsley House
37
Funeral Cortege Arriving at Trinity Pier
38
Gladstone's Funeral - Entering Westminster Abbey
39
Lord Roberts' Arrival in London
40
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Paul (York Road 4)
41
Coronation Procession at St. Boswells
42
The Coronation of Their Majesties King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra
43
King Edward, Prince of Wales, and Members of the Royal Household Passing Between the Royal Yacht and the S.S. "Ophir"
44