A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 193, 15 August 1936, Page 3

A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

King Edward Choos gs a ci nip,

KEEPING SHOP AT CHARITY SALES

(From Our London

THE i s carrying the little democratic tendencies which made him so popular as Prince of Wales into j,j s fuller and busier life at Buckingham Palace. He always did his personal shopping at the shops before his accession, especially where presents for his friends or small things for his house were concerned. He seems to be continuing that practice, for a few days al r 0 he went into one of Mayfair's exclusive furnishing establishments to choose a lamp. He found one which le as ed him very much and promised to Jit into a particular scheme. It needed, however, a slight adjustment, which was done soon after he left the showroom. In hour or two later he found that he could get away to Fort Belvedere for a short "time in the afternoon, and he immediately rang up to ask if the lamp was ready. An offer to send it to him at the Palace was refused. "I will call for it within an hour," he said, "and take it down to the Fort myself in my car." Which he did. Princess Royal "Keeps Shop." Women members of the Royal Family seem to love "keeping shop." The Duchess of York admits quite frankly that she adores it, and the Duchess of Kent found it a fascinating new experience when she undertook the charge of a stall recently at a charity sale. The Princess Royal, by now an experienced saleswoman, spent two hours at an exhibition of needlework by the widows and dependents of Army officers, and sold, cushions, table mats, babies' frocks and lovely pieces of embroidered linen. Jlrs. Arthur Glasgow, a well-known American hostess in London, lent her house for the sale, and her reception rooms were packed all the time the Princess was there. Looking pale and a little tired after her recent attack of measles, the Princess Royal was wearing a simple black wool crepe frock with a 'collar of beautiful lace at the neck, and a triple row of pearls. Her hat was of straw, trimmed with cire ribbons and flowers. Films at Windsor. British film industries have staunch supporters in the members of the Royal Family. Before his death King George delighted in a cinema entertainment when he was in residence in the country, and King Edward is using constantly the very fine apparatus which was set up at Windsor Castle a few years ago. The ballroom, seldom used nowadays for dancing, makes a capital private cinema, and practically _ every week-end guests who are staying at Port Belvedere motor over to the castle with their host after dinner on Saturday night and are treated to a fine programme of new films. Sometimes the King has selected them beforehand and knows what is in store. Sometimes he leaves it to film experts in the various companies, who knows his tastes, to make a selection for him. He is very fond of the Mickey Mouse pictures, and one or more is always included in the Saturday night list. Marlborough House.

It is possible that the Princess Royal may share Marlborough House with Queen Mary when Her Majesty eventually takes up residence there. The London house in Green Street, Mayfair, which the Princess at present occupies, has never been large enough, or particularly convenient, for her, and it is an open secret that windows and a front door which are "right on the

.ady Correspondent.)

street" do not please her. Passers-by can look into her ground floor rooms and, in the summer, sightseers often take up their stand near the house to watch the princess come in and out. Marlborough House is quite large enough to accommodate Queen Mary and her daughter, and the Princess would, of course, be in Yorkshire most of the winter, especially during the hunting season, so that she would not spend any more time in London than she does at present. Entertaining a Princess. The Duchess of Portland was hostess to the Princess Royal last week-end, and there is nothing surer than that the Royal guest had a very enjoyable time. I'or Welbeck Abbey is not only a show place—it is also the home of British hospitality at its best. The Duchess lias all the qualities which make for success in entertaining, her outstanding gift being that of kindly sympathy and understanding. Members of the Royal Family are very fond of her, the women because of this gift of sympathy; the men, for her keen sense of humour and ready wit. The Princess had long wanted to inspect at her leisure the home farm at Welbeck—the one at Harewood House is run under her personal supervision now—and she was able to do so, after fulfilling her programme of engagements in Nottingham itself.

Practical Presents. Cheques figure conspicuously among the wedding presents received by Miss Araminta Peel, daughter of LieutenantColonel and Mrs. Willougliby Peel, of Haddington, and the Hon. David Balfour. This sensible fashion, which avoids the painful necessity of having to appear pleased with the eighth dinner service or the tenth canteen of cutlery, is spreading rapidly. The season's youngest bride, the Hon. Primrose Yarde-Buller, who was married to Earl Cadogan last Thursday, also numbers many cheques among lier gifts. Miss Peel has received another practical present in the form of an outfit of kitchen utensils, and there are several delightful pieces of antique furniture, some exquisite rugs, and fine glass in her collection of presents. A motor car, given by her mother and father, takes pride of place among the larger items, and a lovable gift is a small Dachshund dog. Bride and bridegroom are specially pleased with the clock which the Duchess of Gloucester has sent them.

Ten Bridesmaids. There is 110 doubt that a large bridal retinue adds very much to the attractiveness. of a summer wedding. Miss Nancy Phillips, who was married at St. Mark's, North Audley Street, to Mr. Ronald Pelham Burn, had ten bridesmaids and two small pages, and the white and silver procession which wound its way through the flowerdecorated church was very lovely. The bride herself had a picture gown of silver brocade, and the folds of her white tulle veil were surmounted by a halo headdress of pearls and orange blossom. Two email pages carrying silver swagger canes with great pride followed her, their suits being of white moire, and then came the bridesmaids in white cloque dresses with Juliet caps of pearls on their hair. A touch of flame colour came from the slung capes of the pages, which were lined to match the bouquets of gladioli that the bridesmaids carried.