The King, accompanied by the Queen, formally opened the great British Empire Exhibition at Wembley yesterday, with imposing ceremonial.
In an address of welcome to the King, the Prince of Wales, the President of the Exhibition, described the undertaking as a living picture of the history and structure of the Empire.
The King referred to the marvellous organisation which had contributed to the present triumphant achievement, itself ╥a graphic illustration of the spirit of free and tolerant co-operation╙ within the Commonwealth. If the Exhibition led to an expansion of the Empire trade, he said, it would at the same time assist the economic life of the world disorganised by the war.
The speeches were heard by an assembly of some 80,000 people in the Stadium through the medium of wireless amplifiers. At the close of the ceremony a message by the King, announcing its completion, was cabled to all parts of the Empire. It travelled round the world and came back to Wembley against in 80 seconds.
Broadcast and ╥amplified╙ throughout the country by wireless telephony, the speeches and the music of the ceremony were heard, it is estimated, by more than 5,000,000 people, who were enabled to follow the proceedings almost as clearly as those present in the Stadium.
Up to four o╒clock yesterday afternoon the number of visitors who paid for admission to the Exhibition was estimated at 75,000, and there was held to be every prospect of the first day╒s full attendance exceeding 100,000. After dusk the Exhibition grounds were illuminated by over 1,500 globe ground-lights.
