PRINCE OF WALES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 9

PRINCE OF WALES

STORY OF HIS LIFE MARLBOROUGH HOUSE MANY ACTIVITIES (Read and Approved by Sir Godfrey Thomas, X.C.V.0., Principal Private Secretary to H.R.H.) (All Rights Reserved.) CHAPTER XXIII. In tho autumn of 1927 it was decided that Marlborough House should bo tho residenco of the Prince of Wales, although ho was still to retain York House as his headquarters. Alterations were immediately put in' hand to make the residence more suitablo for tho Prince's requirements, and at first it was rumoured that Uie change of residence was perhaps on account of tho Prince's decision to tako a wife. Such rumours, however, quickly died the death of all rumours without foundation. Marlborough Houso was built during the first few years of the eighteenth century by tho famous Wren, at the order of the Duke of Marlborough, who, to please some sense of vanity perhaps, desired to havo a residence equally palatial to that of tho King. Just Ur a hundred years later tho Hon was purchased by Prince Leopold, who was afterwards King of Belgium ad since that time has been a ™™M Royal establishment. Buckingham Palace is only a few years, older. it was built, similar to Marlborough, for Duke of Buckinghamhut half a century later was bought by the third George. Subsequently vast , altreations were made to t'io Palace and very little of the original tabnc was left unchanged. Queen Victoria especially loved Buckingham Palace. •William IV. preferred St. James's Palace The cost of building Buckingham Palace was over £150,000 King Edward was very fond of Marlborough House, and he possessed it as his own establishment during his many years as tho Prince ot Wales. The Princo of Wales is by no means a ftranger at Marlborough House, tor he f-equfntly visited his grandfather there in Ms younger days, and the late King had a special room prepared for these visits of his grandson. The actual site of Marlborough House occupies well over five acres of land, and there are more than 200 rooms. It is a pity that such an imposing residence is hidden by so many surrounding buildings. It is not possible to Ivifw it from Pall Mall, while the climpso which can bo obtained from bt. James's street does not impress anyone Only from the interior'can it bo judged to bo a Royal residence. King Edward onjoycd himself to tho full at Marlborough Houso, and bad a particular joke to play upon his visitors. His library, which was by no means a small one, usually .took tho interest of his guests, and the King invariably drew their attention to one particular section. Here wore some notable choice specimens of litorat»re, apparently bound in calf and richly ornamented with gold. feomo ot the titles which looked out from the shelves were "Lady Godiva on the Horse,^ "Constable's Notes on Motoring, "Rules of Bridge," "Idols of the King," and many other titles which ■ were so tempting that the visitors were compelled to take down the books and glance through its contents. The King thoroughly enjoyed the joke when his guests took a book from the shelves only to find that they were not volumes at all, but dummies! The Prince of Wales's sense of humour does not lie on such practical grounds, however, and it is not likely that similar incidents to these will take place during his residence. Moreover, the Prince of Wales receives comparatively few visitors, and, like York House, his new residence is more or less noted for its bachelor atmosphere. The young Prince and his brother took a personal interest in the alterations which went on at Marlborough House, and collaborated with tho planning out of the interior decorations. As at York House, the Prince's "den" leads off from his actual bedroom, a tall room, suitably furnished, with suitable indications that it is meant for hard and oft-times short sleep. A dressing-room also adjoins. The whole of the first floor is used as the Princo's personal suite, tho rooms oh the second floor being devoted to the reception of visitors, while the third story is at the disposal of the household staff. When tho alterations were as last completed the Prince's offices, together with his staff, were transferred to York House. From one of his drawing-rooms in his latest residenco the Princo can look out on to the groen lawns beyond and the grounds of St. James's Palace. All conveniences were installed, and even a petrol pump was ereetod, so that the Prince's car could bo put into service at a moment's notice. Garages and stables are replete, whilst a canteen exists for the use of servants, to which adjoins a rest room for the staff! The Prince is a member of several clubs, including the Bath Club, the Marlborough, founded by his grandfather, the Guards, the Naval and Military, the United Service Club, the Caledonian, Union, and Boodles. The Bath Marlborough, and Guards are the only clubs which His Royal Highness actually and habitually uses, however. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. The Princo leaves the majority of his work in tho hands of his capable staff, although he keeps an eye upon his own affairs. Practically the whole of tho Prince's personal incomo is derived from the revenues of his Duchy .in Cornwall, amount to something like £10,000 a year. Out of this sum, however, the Prince expends a largo proportion on the development of his estates in Cornwall, so that he provides work and capital for this agricultural county. At ono timo the oldest sou of tho ruling Sovereign received an annuity of £20,----600 a year as well as the revenues from tho Duchy, and on the dato of his marriage a further annuity of £10,000 per year became due in respect to the Princess of Wales. Tho Prince has never enjoyed this annuity! Thero aro many young men far wealthier than the Prince of Wales, but he does not wish for more money. By sound economies he can manage (without the incessant worry which characterised his grandfather's youth) to make both ends meet without neglect of his princely duties. Despite his "princely" income, howover, His Royal Highness has many calls upon his purse, His expenses are increasing every year, and tho upkeep of his residence, including staff sala"ries and wages, totals a substantial sum. In addition the Prince is a subscriber to many charities and public institutions, while his voluntary donation list is a heavy one, making a further inroad into his revenue. Moreover, the Prince's income is not free of tax, and tho Inland Rovcnuo authorities collect a considerable sum of money each year in respect of income tax and super tax, duo upon tho Prince of Walos's not resources. Tho financial affairs of His Royal Mio-hness arc attended to by his coinp-

troller, who signs all cheques on his behalf. The Prince, however, attends to certain of his own correspondence, and, although he possesses a typewriter at Marlborough House, he confesses that typewriting is a slow job to him, and that he can write a letter much quicker than by finding the keys on his machine. When at home at Marlborough House His Royal Highness has no fixed hour for rising or retiring, these times being solely dependent upon the Prince's engagements. It is usually impossible for the Prince to retire very early, however, for when in London ho has many functions and dinners to attend, and, contrary to the opinion held by many, he is often retiring to bed in the early hours of the morning. Certain habits, however, aro strictly adhered to, and the Prince keeps himself Rt by physical exercises, beforc-breakfust wtilks (often accompanied by his dog, a Calm terrier called Cora), a ten minutes' drill with the Indian clubs, and a cold bath. Strict guard is kept at Marlborough House to keep out flippant visitors and inquirers, or callers without proper business. Two Guardsmen are on sentry at the entrance gates night and day, while inside a policeman acts as guide and instructor, for Marlborough House is a palatial building, and it is an easy matter for a person unacquainted with the interior to lose direction. The Princo is allowed the utmost freedom as a rule, although a certain amount of supervision is necessary for obvious reasons. When the Prince carries out his tours in England it is usual for only one of the staff to accompany him, together with an equorry-in-waitiiig. On Empire and tours abroad a much larger staff is, of course, necessary. It is tho Prince's interest ii the individual rather than the masses which is responsible in no littlo manner for his being the most popular man in the world to-day. In face of his heavy programme of engagements, His Royal Highness can always find time to visit and thank personally those whom ho considers have done service to mankind. INTEREST IN THE PEOPLE. The following story is a good illustration of tho Prince's interest in the people, and shows his willingness to accommodate others at his own expense. While out hunting one day tho Prince of Wales met a little girl, and noticing how cold she was, had lent her his gloves. A few months later, when in the same district, the Prince again met his little friend, who, approaching him shyly, offered him a pair of lemon-col-oured woollen gloves, his own property. The young maiden blushingly thanked him for his kindness. "That's al right," the Prince replied smilingly, refusing the gloves, "You keep them and wear them out." Photographs of his Royal Highness do not as a rule do him credit, however good their likeness to ftiin may be. They cannot show his true expressions which are many and varied, and which appear and disappear so quickly that they cannot be "caught" by the most nimble photographer. Moreover, the Prince is so vivacious that seldom are his features in repose. The Prince is less than average height but somehow this fact is not noticeable so-much, because his bearing is so utterly masculine and self-possessed. Even' when walking alongside men a great deal taller than himself he does not look by any means insignificant. Although the Prince of Wales is a member of many clubs, the Bath Club probably sees more of him than the others. There is no mystery about this, however, for hero he can enjoy an odd game of squash rackets and an exhilarating swim in the efficiently laid out baths. Tho Prince has lived about one half of his life, and has achieved equally that amount of his career. Indeed, it may well bo said that ho has squeezed more into the first half of his life than justly belong to it. The war undoubtedly hastened his manhood and matur ity; from the war he learnt human nature, and did for his education what years of study would never have done. His tours have given him an insight into the life of other nations which none of his ancestors ever possessed. But with all these experiences ho still retaiiiß that boyishness which is one of his greatest charms. His past has been recorded, out it is a past which lives for ever in .-.he present. In the future we can look forward; by the Grace of God, to behold a Prince and a King who can be relied upon to uphold the finest traditions of all that is fine, decent, manly, and above all, British. The Prince's nicssugo to the Empire can well be expressed in these words of Emerson: "I feel in regard to this aged England, with the possessions, honours, and trophies, and also with the infirmities of a thousand years gathering around her, irretrievably committed as she now is to many old customs which cannot be suddenly changed; pressed upon by tho transitions of trade, .and new and all incalculable modes, fabrics, arts, machines, and competing populations. "I see her not dispirited, not weak, but well remembering that she has seen dark days before; indeed, with a kind of instinct that she sees a littlo bettor in a cloudy day, and that in storm of battle and calamity sho has a secret vigour and a pulse like cannon "Seeing this, I say All Hail, Mother of Nations, Mother of Heroes, with strength still equal to tho time; still wise to entertain, and swift to execute the policy which the mind and heart of mankind require at the present hour, and thus only hospitable to the foreigner and truly a home to the thoughtful and generous, who aro born in the soil." In this "life" of his Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales I have tried to deal constructively with his career, chronicling events in their lequence, and lightening what must of necessity be bald statements of official fact with flashes of the human sunlight of the Prince's personalilty. I have tried to convey to you an unvarnished portrait of H.B.H. —tho Prince as Prince —as statesman—as Empire ambassador —and abovo all as a man. [The End.]