To Have The Honour.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 6

To Have The Honour.

(By HORACE WYNDHAM.)

When the Duke and Duchess Visit Their Friends.

Although T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of lork dispense with as much pomp and circumstance as possible during a country-house visit, certain special arrangements have of course, to be made for their reception on such occasions. The successful carrying out of these entails, as may be imagined, a good deal of anxiety oil the part of the host and hostess concerned. For example, the servants have to be carefully trained in the niceties of Court etiquette, while the rooms set apart for accommodation of the illustrious guests have to be pat in apple-pie order. It is important, too, that such rooms should be in a position to ensure a certain amount of privaev for their distinguished occupants. On this account the suite in question is usually contained in a separate wing altogether, and is" capable of being entered and left without passing through corridors used by ordinary members of the house-party. Choosing the House-Party. This house-party Ims to he most carefully chosen, for on its composition depends in great measure the success of the visit. With a view to ensuring that everyone's presence shall be thoroughly acceptable, a list of those it is proposed to invite is first submitted to the Duke's private secretary. The careful host and hostess always make a point of including among their guests on these occasions several who have a talent for amateur theatricals, singing, or playing. Invitations are also extended to men who can give a good account of themselves both at golf and tennis, etc. When the Duke and Duchess pay n countryhouse visit they are met at the local station by their host. Anything in the nature of a dcmoiii.trat.ioii or address of welcome from the municipal authorities is discountenanced on such occasions. Their arrival, in fact, is practically as unostentatious as is that of any private individuals spending a week-end in the country. On arrival (which is generally timed for about six o'clock in the evening! at the house they are honouring with their presence, the Duke and Duchess generally retire immediately to their rooms, and do not meet the remainder of the house-party until a few minutes before the dinner-hour. As a rule, this is fixed at nine o'clock, in accordance with the custom obtaining at Buckingham Palace and Windsor. As soon as the ladies have withdrawn, coffee and cigarettes are handed round. There is no undue lingering over these, and in about ten minutes or so the gentlemen return to the drawing-rooiu. Tinremainder of the evening is then passed with music, dancing, billiards, or bridge. The "Simple Life." The manner in which the interval between breakfast and luncheon is passed depends, of course, on the season of the year. Whenever possible, the Duke and Duchess like to spend the mornings in the open air. What they prefer is a midday spin in a car, accompanied by their host and hostess and one or two of the principal guests. Luncheon is at two o'clock, or a little later, and is rather an elaborate meal. On its conclusion both the Duke and Duchess snatch an hour to attend to their correspondence. Of course, the private secretary and lady-in-waiting answer as many of the letters as possible, but included in each mail there is always bound to be a number requiring their personal attention. At tea, which in most country houses, nowadays, is served in the entrance hall (or, if the weather is fine, out of doors on the lawn), the Duke and Duchess greet any of the guests they have not met earlier in the day. Occasionally the opportunity is taken at this meal to present to them some local celebrity. Very often, however, such individuals are invited to a dinner party instead. It is seldom, when he is playing an ordinary visit of this description, that the Duke of York spends any of his time in laying foundation stones, opening public buildings, or receiving etc. Although no one is more ready to oulige, or to further the cause of charitable and social progress, he has a natural disinclination to encroaching upon his holiday in this manner. When he visits bis personal friends in the country he likes to do so as much as possible in his private capacity. One reason for this is that the discharge of any official duty on such occasions entails the provision of a military escort and causes his host a good deal of responsibility. It is, of course, impossible to state the expense to which a subject is put on account of a visit from a member of the Royal Family. That it is considerable, however, is certain, for although a lavish display in the direction of table decorations, etc, is very properly discountenanced, a certain abnormal outlay is necessary. Sometimes the whole house is re-decorated, while the suite occupied by the distinguished guests may have to be specially furnished; and the domestic staff always has to be largely reinforced. The attendance of some great musical star to Bing or play in the evenings also means the writing of a handsome cheque. It need scarcely be said, however, that the cost of entertaining Royalty is quite the last thing with which a subject who is being honoured in fhi« fashion concerns himself.