ROYAL PARTIES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18487, 15 September 1925, Page 7

ROYAL PARTIES.

AT, BUCKINGHAM PALACE. BRILLIANT FUNCTIONS. OVERSEAS VISITORS PRESENT. (FSOM OVB OWN CO33ESFO.NDEXT.) LONDON. July 29. This mail will carry to New Zealand innumerable private letters expressing the gre.n joy that so many of the New Zealand visitors experienced at receiving a Royal Command to one or other of the July garden parties held by the Kiii<T ai::l Queen in the very delightful grounds of Buckingham Palace. Those who "were away from Loudon returned with enthusiasm from distant so pleased were they to be invited. This year there had to be fewer guests than in 1924, for only two garden' parties were held, against the four ol last year, so as lists were restricted the invitations were specially highly prized. The anticipatory joy became a wonderful thrill when New Zealanders were given the opportunity of talking with their Majesties. Th e King and Queen had expressed beforehand a wish to meet people from the Dominions and have a little talk with them, so the High Commissioners were notified of this gracious desire —a new departure and one that afforded intense delight. In the case of New Zealand, Mr H. T. li. Drew was chosen for attachment to the entourage of the Queen, and Mr F. T. Sandtbrd was instructed to join the officers of State who accompanied the King. Their duty was to keep a look-out for New Zealanders, and bring them into the presence of the King and the Queen, to whom introduction was made by name and mention was made of the country and city whence each one came.

Everything was so well carried out, and the King and Queen are such delightfully human and natural people that everyone felt quite at ease —indeed, some of the young guests have been so thrilled that they say they have been walking on air ever since experiencing this great and altogether unlookerl for privilege. To be invited to Buckingham Palace was .alone worth the journey from New Zealand, but to have the unexpected honour of talking to the King; oi- to the, Queen —if not to both their Majesties—was a joy so overwhelming that words fail to express really how they feel. Always, of course, after their arrival in the gardens, the King and Queen have spent over an hour mixing with their guests, and talking to many, but possibly they did not always know to whom "they" were speaking. By this new arrangement they do know, and conversation is far easier, alike for them and for the visitors honoured. Whatever their interest, it became the subject for conversation. Possessing wonderfully retentive memories, the King and the Queen were able on the spur of the moment, to recall something of their trip to New Zealand twenty-four years ago, and it usually had reference to the part from which the visitor came.

The Queen, conversing with one New Zealander, asked if she had come for the Exhibition. Receiving an answer iii the affirmative, her Majesty remarked—"l. thiift Wembley is wonderful. The display in the New Zealand Pavilion is very fine and interesting. Indeed, it is beautiful. I should like to go there oftener, but there are so many things to do at this time of the year." A Galaxy ,of Royalty. Overseas visitors at the first party were specially fortunate to Bee. so many well-known Royalties, for with the King and Queen were the Duke and Duchess of York and Prince Henry, Prince and Princess Arthur of Con-, naught, Lady Patricia Ramsay and the Duke of Connaught, Princess Beatrice, Process Helena Victoria, Princess Marie Louise, Prince George of Russia, Prince Chichibu ,of Japan, Lady Maud Carnegie, Lord Carnegie, the Queen of the Belgians, Princess Marie Jose, Queen Marie of Roumania, the Crown Prince of Greece, and the Princeks, the Infanta Beatrice of Spain, the Infanta Alfonso, the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven. In addition there were the ladies and gentlemen-in-waiting, all people who are well-known by name the world over. Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles arrived later, after attending a public function. Exquisite Dresses. As they approached there seemed to be so many that one wanted longer time to identify them and to see them all. Queen Mary looked very regal in a becoming dress of the palest lavender, the skirt trimmed with festoons of crystal mercury-lined beads, which glittered in the tun like molten silver. A lace cape finished the back, falling from the shoulders. Her Majesty's hat, with shady brim, was ; generously wreathed with ostrich feathers the exact tone of her dress, and a plain shade was carried. Her Majesty's ornaments were large and magnificent pearls and a few diamonds. The dainty Duchess of York wore a pretty dress of pink rose-patterned ■chiffon, and a crinoline hat of a deeper shade of cerise, with sunshade to tone. The Queen of the Belgians, who came with the Duchess of Portland, Prineess Marie Jose, and her,own lady-in-wait-ing, had been to the wedding of Lady Alexandra Curzon and Major Metcalfe. Queen Elizabeth wore a dress of shot string colour and pale gold, having a hem of soft brown fur. A close little hat to match was worn with a cluster of ivory and green flowers at one side. The Belgian ' Princess was simply dressed jn white, and wore a pretty hat of delphinium-blue. She walked about the lawns/ evidenth" enjoying the informal atmosphere that is a feature of , Royal Garden Parties. ' A wonderfully striking figure was the Queen of Roumania; her toque of gold had cream-coloured drooping paradise plumes falling on either r,ide like a cascade—it was more like a national headdress than a toque; her drees was a foam of cream chiffon, and over it ,fell at the back an enveloping satin cloak of the most wondrous shade of orange, wesghted with golden tassels. She was a conspicuous figure all the afternoon, as in the brilliant sunshine her toque was caught in the sun's rays, and the green trees made an effective foil for her unusual cloak. Her diamonds, as one who was close by remarked "made one blink.'' Princess Mary was in pink, of a spft cyclamen colour, with a wide-brimmed shady hat and a sunshade of the same pretty hue. Perhaps our tallest princess is Lady j Patricia Ramsay, a graceful figure in cream-coloured chiffon patterned with I brown roses, and Ult,n sunshade to I tone. Most of the men wore suits of ! light grey, with tall hats of grey, and a "buttonhole —generally a white carnation.

"Well-known faces were seen on every side, and dresses of the loveliest stuff, some delicate, some bright, forming a marvellous kaleidoscope of ever-chang-ing colour as the people moved about. Indian ladies were very conspicuous in rich colours. The parasols added considerably to the variety of the constant-lr-moving panorama. The Four Begums. Presently the King and his staff went off in one direction talking with many guests, among them the aged Admiral the Hon. Sir Edmund Itcmantle and Mr Charles Henderson, also

several well-known members of Parliament. The Queen also moved about talking- to those whom she recognised, and astonishing even those who least expected the honour by her knowledge of them and of good "work thev were doing. It was during the hour that followed tnat all the happv talks took place. -Jeanwbilc, hundreds had dispersed to all points—some were iu the marquee for tea, some were wandering by the lake, others were in the Palace seeicg the pictures and the china in the State rooms.

Formal Presentations. In dne course all the Eoyalties assembled for tea under, their special tent, and the King and Queen must have welcomed a little rest. Half-an-hour later the King and Queen advanced and stood u'lder the Indian scarlet cauopy, where presentations formally took place of prominent people, including representatives from all overseas Dominions. They were lined up in readiness, and then' came forward in procession. Sir James Allen presented; Lady Bell. Miss Bell, his Honour Sir Frederick Chapman, Lady Chapman. Mr Justice Stringer. Mrs Stringer. Sir Donald and Lady McGavin, and Mr and Mrs H. Buekleton. It was then approaching 6 p.m., nt which hour one of the Guards' Bands—two were playing nil the afternoon —struck up the National Anthem, and the King and Queen slowly returned to the Palace By degrees the- guests dispersed, but it was a long time before the last had departed, for the temptation to linger in the grounds was very great. \ Some well-known people seen were the Duchesses of Devonshire, Atholl, Sutherland, Abercorn, Buecleuch, and Westminster: the Prime Minister with Mrs and Miss Baldwin, the Countess of Oxford and Asquith, Field-Marshal Lord Plumer, Lady Plumer, the Bt." Hon. D. Lloyd George, Dame Margaret, and Miss Megan Lloyd George, the Marquessa Merry del Val, Bishop Carr Glyn, Lady Mary Carr Glyn, Cardinal Bourne, Dean Inge, Prebendary PercivaJ, the Grand Duke Michael, Prince George of Bussia, the Earl of Lonsdale, Lord and Lady William Cecil, Lord Cecil Manners,' Lord and' Lady Arthur Hill, Lady Edward Churchill,"Lady Frances Balfour, JLady Wyndham, Sir Squire Bancroft, Mrs Kendal (a dignified and delightful personality), Dame Clara Butt and Mr Kennerley Rumford, the Rt. Hon. Austen and Mrs Chamberlain," the Bt. Hon. L. S. Amery and Mrs Amery, Sir James and Lady Criehton Browne, Earl and Countess Jcllicoe, and many more. The Second Party.

Three days elapsed before the second party took "place. In the meantime heavy rain had fallen, which had greatly benefited the gardens and the turf. The afternoon was_J,hreatening. but nothing happcßetTto mar its pleasure. Generally, the dresses were not so bright- as on the previous occasion, but the 6000 people present looked very attractive, and again there were many f rocks of floral ninon in delicate tones, and many vivid splashes of flame and orange. The Koyal party was not so representative as on the first day, those with the King and Queen including the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke of Connaught, Lady Patricia Ramsay, Princess Helena Victoria, Princess Marie Louise, the Marquis and Marchioness of Carisbrooke, and the Earl and Countess of Eltham. In attendance on the Queen were the Duchess of Devonshire, Lady Desborough, the Hon. Ursula Lawlcy, and Lady Bertha Dawkins. With a pigeon-blue lame gown, bordered with silver and trimmed with handsome blue embroidery, "her Majesty wore a small hat trimmed with blue and pink uncurled ostrich plumes. The' Duchess of York was wearing a soft cream dress of ninon covered with net, embroidered with pearls, and a cream crinoline hat trimmed underneath with flame-coloured feathers. Lady Patricia Ramsay was in biscuit-coloured georgette trimmed with delicate cream lace, and a becoming toque. Numerous eminent people —men and women—were present.

One of the first people with whom the King talked was Mrs Annie Besant, a striking personality with her uncovered white hair and her white and gold robe. To such an extent did they thus spend time with their guests that they did not reach their tea tent until about a quarter-past five. When they sat down to tea the general:body of visitors repaired to the refreshment marquees, but reassembled to witness the return procession to the Palace. This was undertaken after a very brief interval for presentations by the Secretary of State for the\ Colonies, beneath the Indian canopy. The only New Zefl», landers here formally presented were Mr and Mrs R. S. Forsyth and Mr and Mrs J. C. N. Grigg. A Pretty-Phrase. A man from South Africa, standing beside me, was gazing intently at the Queen—he could not tako his eyes off her Majesty. "In South Africa," he said, "we call her 'Sunshine's Mother'. Sunshine' is what we have christened the Prince of Wales, and now we call the Queen 'Sunshine's Mother.'" The New Zealand Guests.

New Zealand was well represented on both days, invitations having been received by:— AIW J^ KjMi 7 Allen > Kiss L- D. Mi s ,\ Ml A BS S A . llen ' Mrs H - D - Acland , r iJ* Acton Adams > Major and Mrs herald Anderson,' Mrs G. W: Armitage, Mr G. W. Armitage, jun./'CapMr T S R - Beetham, Miss v. Hutchison, Lady Bell, Miss E. Bell, \£. S T Bennett - Mrs W. E. Bidwell J*ra Ernest Bloomfield, Miss M Bloomfield, Mr J. H. C. Bond, Miss N. Bonfl 2r" rH W - N - Bond, Miss M. £ond, Miss L. Brandon, Mrs AgnewMr and Mrs H. Buckleton, Miss Buckleton, Mr and Mrs M. S. Brown, Miss V Brown, Captain Sir Charles and £f I Cam Pbell, Mrs Selwyn Chambers, w -r/ e^ rick and Lad y Chapman, Miss a. M. Chapman, Dr. 8. G. 'Chapman, Jaajor-General Sir Edward Chaytor, ™a Cha ytor, the Misses K. Mil n Ch »yt<»-> Miss A. Coop, ii.fc! Sir A " Murage. Miss Cowlishaw, Mr T. Cowlishaw, Mrs W. f/. Miss M. Cruickshank, J"ss Dennis, Mr and Mrs Moss Davis, f«ss B Davis, Mrs Elworthy, sen., Miss Elworthy, Mr and Mrs S. K. Gamck, Miss L. Grace, • Mrs J. a«a, r een > Misses M - and A - Gunn , DrM, , I"™ 1 * Ha . v > Mrs A - M. Hellabv, ™r and Mrs E. S. Hcllaby, Miss K. E. Miss C. Johnston, Mrs Goring st™ x°- n ' the Misses M " and B. Johnston, Mrs Sydney Johnston, Mrs A. F. the Msses T - a * d M. Ken- ?!, y 'w- ' A - R - C - Kilian . Mis 3 J- K. Misses A. and K. Leithead, Mrs C. ZX° n ' Mr and Mrs A. F. Lowe, Mr ,£L o J - Macalister, Dr. Gladys MacM;I ter * Sir Donald and Lady McGavin, **». M. McEillop, Mr and Mrs A. E. C 'V \r liss v - V - Mabin, Dr. and Mrs II \i-T a S uire » Miss E. Maguire, Miss Mi £ B ' ilr and Mrs Kobert Milligan, D. Moore, Dr. and Mrs C. G. P 5 the Misses Moriee, Mr and Mrs "■ JM-. Morris, the Misses A. and M. Mr and Mrs L. Murrav, the Hon. ?} r Arthur and Lady Mver's, Miss E. Dr. B. Myers, Mrs and Miss Mrs H. L. Nathan, Miss A. Mr and Mrs J. Armstrong Miss M. Bond, Misses A. and E. V?tT;S Hrs J - L - ower - Miss R owe 'Xr J i? Ward p age, Miss Margaret Page, sts5 ts E - V. Palmer, Miss Palmer, Mr and rtf 8 W..p. Parkinson, Miss Parkinson, r IBB G - Peacock. Mrs and Misses Quini, on > Mrs E. Eiddiford, Mr and Mrs A. Miss S. Robertson, Mrs Hec'ot Bolleston, Major and Mrs A. B. "ose, Major-General Sir Andrew Eus\r , -r. Ladv Russell r the Misses J. and **• Bussell, Mrs C. W. Eeid, Mr aj»4

Mrs Hector J. Smith, the Misses O. and R. Smith, Hon. Mr Justice Stringer and Mrs Stringer, Mr and Mrs J. F. Studholme, Mr and Mrs H. T. G. Turner, the Iter. G. Turner, Dr. T. H. A. Vahntine, Miss B. A. Walker, Mr and Mrs W. F. Ward, Miss M. Ward, Dr. F. G. Ward.