DUKE OF WINDSOR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 172, 4 May 1937, Page 5

DUKE OF WINDSOR

DEPARTURE FROM AUSTRIA.

LOOKING WELL AND HAPPY. THANKS FOR HOSPITALITY. (United Press Association-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 3. A message from Wolfgang (Austria) states that the Duke of Windsor’s sudden decision to leave for France this afternoon was made after a telephone conversation with Mrs Simpson. The Duke, keeping his promise to make a statement to pressmen before leaving, ordered his equerry to summon them. The journalists, hastening in through the doorway, stumbled over luggage and golf clubs piled ready for departure. The equerry stated that the Duke of Windsor had telegraphed to the President (Herr Hildas) thanking the Government, police, postal officials, and people of all classes for their untiring kindness and hospitality. The Duke of Windsor, in excellent spirits, came out to oblige the press photographers, with whom he jested in German, asking where they all came from.

A message from Salzburg states that the Duke, looking fit and happy, accompanied by his Cairn terrier, departed on the Paris express which, it is understood 1 , he will leave at Troyes, continuing his journey to the Chateau de Cande hv car.

FAREWELL BY VILLAGERS.

FOLK SONGS AND DANCES

ST. WOLFGANG, May 3

Villagers crowded in 50 illuminated boats gave a picturesque farewell to the Duke of Windsor. Singers and dancers, with a 'brass band, assembled on a platform supported by two barges and proceeded to his villa after dusk, leading a procession of water craft.

The Duke stood on the balcony for two hours listening to folk songs and watching the clogged performers demonstrate national dances.

At the conclusion of the programme he received the burgomaster, who expressed the villagers’ sense of honour over the Duke’s visit.

The simple pageant w ? as unmarred even by the Nazis, "who seized the opportunity to set on fire a giant wooden swastika on a hillside.

PLANS FOR THE WEDDING.

THE DATE NOT YET FIXED.

WAR-TIME COURTESY RECALLED,

LONDON, May 2

The Tours correspondent of the ‘ ‘Daily Mail” says a story of the Duko of Windsor kissing a pretty French girl on the Somme battlefield lies behind the plans for his marriage. The Mayor of Mont, the nearest town to the Chateau de Cande, is Dr. Charles Mercier, whose wife recalls that when King George V. visited .the Somme front during the Great War the British headquarters were situated in a village in which she resided. Her father frequently entertained the officers, and she was chosen to present a bouquet to King George. The King thanked her and asked the Prince of Wales also to express thanks. The Prince shook her hand and kissed her on the cheek. Now Dr. Mercier, as chief magistrate, will marry the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson. Dr. Mercier confirms the statement that the date is not fixed, but he has been asked to visit the chateau shortly to discuss arrangements with Mrs Simpson and the Duke of Windsor. Madame Mercier said: “I am sure the Duke has not forgotten the Somme incident. I should love to attend the wedding.” Mrs Simpson has been playing much golf and looks sunburnt. The Duke of Windsor, it is expected, will be met at a secret rendezvous near Paris with a car from the chateau, in which Mrs Simpson may travel to greet him. The Duke of Kent is expected to represent the Koval family at the Wedding.

MRS SIMPSON’S DIVORCE

decree now absolute

LONDON, May 3. Mrs Simpson’s divorce decree has been made absolute. Within a few moments of the decision, the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simoson were informed by telephone.

VERY BRIEF PROCEEDINGS.

LONG QUEUE AT THE COURT.

(Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONIDON, May 3

Fifty seconds and less than 100 words spoken by Sir Boyd Merriman (president) and the clerk of the court .sufficed to make Mrs Simpson’s decree absolute. Eighty-six decrees nisi were heard, including Mrs Simpson’s, which was numbered 56. Although merely formal procedure,

hundreds made up a queue at the divorce court entrance. The President’s Court was crowded when Sir Boyd Merriman took his seat on the bench beneath the rope and anchor, which is symbolic of the sign of the probate, divorce and admiralty division.

Immediately the clerk rose, and, reading from the official list, said: “Applications to make absolute the decrees nisi in the causes of No. 7 to 78 from the principal registries.” Sir Boyd Merriman asked: “Does anyone appear to show cause why these decrees should not be absolute?”

There was a five seconds’ pause, in which there was silence, after which Sir Boyd Merriman said: “I then pronounce the decree nisi as made absolute.”

Similar procedure followed the remaining decrees from the district registries. The crowd then evaporated.

NO CELEBRATIONS PLANNED. (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) PARIS', May 3 A message from Tours states that Mrs Herman Rogers, on behalf of Mrs Simpson, says there is no statement to make. Mrs Simpson has not planned a celebration of the issue of the decree absolute.