23 FEBRUARY 1918, Page 3

The Prince of Wales, with all fit and proper solemnities,

took the oath and his seat as a Peer of the Realm in the House of Lords on Tuesday. His "supporters ". were the Duke of Beaufort and the Duke of Somerset. Many Peers and Peeresses were in attendance, and Queen Mary, Princess Mary, and Princess Victoria witnessed the ceremony from the Royal box in the gallery of the House. The proceedings had several points of interest. We may set down first the sympathy with which the nation has followed the recent career of the Prince of Wales, since the bursting of the war-cloud laid upon him new duties and responsibilities. Like so many others of his quail; in age, he has grown suddenly into manhood, and played his part as a soldier, eager only to serve his country. Secondly, the ceremony itself was brilliant and stately, highly picturesque, and of an old-world dignity. In the Prince's bearing there was noted "a slight but pleasing trace of awe." Then the incident had its historic interest. It had not occurred for fifty-five years. In 1863 the Prince of Wales (afterwards King Edward VII.) had as sup- porters the Duke of Newcastle and the Duke of Cambridge. King George did not enter the House of Lords as Prince of Wales ; he was introduced as Duke of York in 1892, with his father and the Duke of Connaught as supporters. On Tuesday the Prince followed the example of his grandfather, by returning to the House after the ceremony, and taking a seat on the cross-benches.