Their faces gleaming from soap & water, their hair scrupulously combed, 67 flushed old men and 67 excited old women waited in the transepts of Westminster Abbey last week. The organ groaned magnificently. Down the aisle stalked a scarlet-&-gold Yeoman of the Guard bearing on his head a solid gold platter piled high with purses of scarlet and white leather. Behind the Yeoman walked King George, Queen Mary and the King's Almoner, the Very Rev. J. Armitage Robinson whose other duties include the Deanship of Wells Cathedral.

It was Maundy Thursday.* King George was...