ROYAL LOVE MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 280, 24 November 1921, Page 5

ROYAL LOVE MATCH.

PRINCESS AND PEER

ENGAGEMENT WELCOMED. ARCHAIC IDEAS GONE. (By Cable.-Tress Association.—Cop.vrlsht.) LONDON, November 23. The betrothal of Princess Mary, the only daughter of the King and Queen, to Viscount Lascelles. heir of the fifth Earl of Ilarwood, was officially announced to-day. The "'Court Circular' , issued to-day states: "With the greatest pleasure the King and Queen announce the betrothal of their beloved daughter, Princess Mary, to Viscount Lasceiles."

The courtship has been a real lovemaking. The couple have ridden and walked together in London and the country. It has been long obvious tn those in inner circles that they love each other. Their association in country houses and at Samlringham has provided opportunities for them to know and appreciate each other's worth.

Viscount Lascelles approached the King personally and diffidently. The Kin;; considered the matter carefully without reference to his Ministers. He and the Q\ieen talked with Princess Mary and soon realised that their daughter's happiness centred in Viscount Lascelles, upon which they consented that he should pay formal suit.

Quern Alexandra was delighted on receiving the news of the engagement, and offered her grand-daughter her heartiest congratulations. Her brothers told Princess Mary how glad they were, and the news was cabled to the" Prince of Wales in India. Everything is happening as in a private family whose only daughter is affianced. Viscount Lascelles dined with the Kinp and Queen last night and sat with his betrothed. The couple afterwards sat together discussing how their personal friends should be specially informed , . Princess Mary is a great sportswoman. She rides and drives well, fishes, swims, roows, and nlays tennis, and she was taught by the Prince of Wales to drive a motor ear.- She is an exceptional linguist, speaking French. German, and Italian well, and Spanish, Norse, and Danish less fluently.

The newspapers welcome the announcement of' Princess Mary's engagement, especially because it tramples down the archaic notion of limiting Royal marriages to the Royal caste. Viscount Lascelles is very wealthy. In April. 1016, tiie Marquis of Clanricarde died, leaving an estate of over £2,000,000, the residue of which went to Viscount Lascelles. Throughout the war he refused a staff appointment and continued with the Grenadiers in the fighting line, becoming lieutenant-colonel.

Viscount Las-cellos was serving in the trenches when he was informed that his uncle had. left him his fortune. Before the war he had intondetl to take up a political career, and he made more than one attempt to enter the House of Commons as a Unionist member. He recently purchased Chesterfield Hour.c, a famous and magnificent residence, at an enormous price. He is a well-known owner of racehorses, and trains at Newmarket.

It is officially announced that the King at ii moetinnr of the Privy Council declared his consent to Princess Mary's marriage.

Conirratulatory messages are pouring into Buckingham Pilace from all classes of the community.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.)