Editor's Pick

CENTRAL PRESS / HULTON ARCHIVE / GETTY IMAGES
01 December, 2011

KING GEORGE V AND QUEEN MARY appear as emperor and empress in their coronation robes at the balcony of the Red Fort on 13 December 1911, a day after the coronation ceremony, to receive the thousands of people gathered to greet them. Their appearance at the Delhi Durbar marked the first time a British monarch had come to India. The pompous ceremony saw a gathering of princes and princesses from Indian kingdoms across the subcontinent flocking to Delhi to pay homage to their king. That same year, the king, while sitting on a golden throne, proclaimed the shifting of the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. The ceremonial laying of the foundation stones of Delhi took place three days after the announcement, on 15 December 1911. Delhi celebrates its centenary year as capital this December.