Home Life of the Duchess.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 5

Home Life of the Duchess.

Her Youth in the Valley of Strathraore-Hostess in her Teens.

(By MARGARET CAMERON.)

Every lime tho Ductals <>f York goes north to Glainis, her childhood's home, she in truth takes the road back Jo yesterday. To her "ain folk" in Forfarshire the Duchess Mill remains cn«hrincd as "Lady Betty"—the blueeyed girl who was once one of themselves. It seems difficult for them to realise that this girl with the gentle manner has become not merely a duchess. but "scomcl lady in the Empire/' It must be a refreshing change for her to go luck to fllamis and move again among *"kent faces." and be as she was as Lady Klizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Those were the days when the Duchess learned the true lessons of life: they made her the thoroughly unselfish an<l attracthc personality she is to all who know her now. Always the Duchess has f«een jriven responsibility. While still in her 'iwus she had to assume the duties of hostess at Gla mis Castle owing to the continued illness of her mother, the Countess of .Strathniore. Thus it c-omes about that custom ha* taught the Duchers to finish a trying day with a smile where another would flag and fail. When she goes north she takes «p again the threads of her happy girlhood and endeavours to prove how little she has changed since then. We are all familiar with the Duchess of York as a brilliant social leader, always dainty and exquisite; now welcoming her guests, now attending some function as the puest of honour with the Duke. In many ways her engagements night be identical with those of any other leader in the social world. But what of the Duchess in the setting which has for ever ca~«t its imprint upon her? Let us go back for a glimpse of the yesterday which moulded and made her. A day from the page of her early history is in a way more truly a reflection of the Duchess than the glamorous and exacting day which is hers in London. Though but a shadow of her present activities, ! think it gives quite a good outline of her everyday life. There is no Duke of York in this day, and no Princess Kli/al>etli: but every woman knows without being told just how much additional worry even a carefully nur&ed princess must entaiL It was. a summer day and it early became apparent that something important was afoot at Glamis. The Duchess . was up betimes. With greetings to her invalid mother and breakfast over &ho carefully inspected her correspondence. By her mother's bedside she spent some time discussing the day's programme, letters and news in the papers.

With her own capable fingers she helped to form the scheme of decoration, and by one o'clock fbe bad satisfied herself that everything was in readiness for ibc function «t 2 j>.m. A short spell wilh her mother left the Duchess about three-qua ru-rp of an hour to dress and l>e in readiness f<ir her p-ueste.. In a verr short time she came trippinjr down, looking street and girlish in a blue dress with a full skirt and tight iiitle bodice showing a hint c»f lew at the nock. Her anxiety and obviotis desire to please were very marked, even as they sre to-day, for nothing wms to t-i.alc the "infinite variety" of her Ivoyal Highness. One by one the jmests arrived, to be greeted with the spontaneous "easy" smile so characterirtie of the Duchess. Two o'clock came round, but one of the most importsni guests wms late The Duchess was obviously lrouMed. At 2.15, however, a handsome car purred up the drive and tho Dowager Countess of Airlie va< announced. I can think of nothing more striking than th* wonderful and pleasing contrast as three two met. The Dowager Countess of Airlie might well hare stepped from a Gainsborough picture, for she etill favours the large, plumy hats that artists loved t« paint— Tail and slim, the Counl.css breathes an air of serenity and kindness, and one instinctively realises that her true setting is in the order of the older world of romance.. Vivid, eager and sparkling, the Duchess pave an' impression of modern youth at its fairest and best. Her animated laugh rang out. and together the two went into the dining hall where the luncheon awaited them. ... It wa.s nearly four o'clock before the gathering broke up and dispersed. The big and most trying item of the day was over. An Informal Evening. The Dowager Countess of Airlie and a few inti« ' mate friend* stayed behind to have lea, and an boutf sped by pleasantly. Finally, it was agreed that the Duchess should go over for the evening to Airli* Cat-Ik-, where a little party of friends was to meet. At five the Duchess said good-bye to the Countces and the others and then had a turn to gee that everything was all right. After a quiet half-hour with bee; father and mother, she began to dress for dinner at Airlie Castle, and by C.30 she was ready to pay her; adieux. Wrapped in a grey cloak, she stepped into th* car, accompanied by her brother, and sped away. The evening was dear, and many a homeward-bound worker on the Strath more estate caught a glimpae of her and, turning, smiled after the car. For everyone has a particular comer in hit or her heart for "Ladjr Betty."

Dinner began ehortly after eevea and , the Duchess was very much at home, for, everyone present wee an old friend. There wm no dancing. It was am informal evening. There was littlej music in the drawing room and time flew; quickly. At nine the Duchcsi apolopificd for leaving bo early as eh© had » big day before her, including the opening of a flower show somewhere in Forfar. So by ten o'clock the Duchess was back at Glarnis, and that more or less closes one of her ordinary days. Love of Simple Thinga. , For everyone of her engagement* hi those days, however, the Docheas now; has to fulfil three—and this in a blax4 of limelight which might well 4| , lesser mind or personality. But at Glamie, on the whole, die} spends an open-air life, being partieo- ■ larly devoted to gardening — a taste) inherited from her father. In the evenings she likes to have company, and tdf dance. She is a beautiful dancer, light as the proverbial feather, and familiar with the mazes and intricacies of the popular, dances of the day. Those fortunate enough to dance with her on her New; Zealand tour will find that she is M most charming partner. Despite all adulation, however, the Duchess has not changed one whit, and probably that is the reason of her success. Her life is very full, but always she seems to find pleasure in the simple things. At heart she still remains the Jiltle Scottish girl who five years age married the Duke of York.