AT SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21376, 19 January 1935, Page 18

AT SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

Mingling With Other j Boys i | POPULAR WITH HIS I COMPANIONS i j ' At first Prince Henry was a day boy at St. Peter's Court, Broadstairs, ' the only one among the 60 boarders then attending the school. During that time he lived with Sir Francis Laking at York Gate House; but in all other respects he was' treated exactly like the remainder of the pupils. In course of time, Prince Henry's health improved sufficiently for him to become a boarder at St. Peters Court. Prince Henry was highly popular with his school companions, on account of his entire lack of "side,' and of his plucky determination to be the equal of other boys of his age in games and sports. On one occasion, he was invited to a party by a personal friend of Queen Mary, and it was suggested he should apply to the headmaster for permission to attend. This Prince Henry refused to do, "because," he said, "we are not supposed to have permission, and I don't want the other boys to think I'm an exception." " Buck House " Buckingham Palace, or "Buck House," as it is familiarly known to the younger members of the Royal Family, now became the London home of the Royal children, and it was here Prince Henry returned during the holidays from St. Peter's Court. To their Majesties' great satisfaction, Prince Henry's health continued to improve, and it was understood that he would be able to go to Eton in due course. In the meantime it was considered advisable to keep

him at Broadstairs until his thirteenth year. Thus the young Prince carried on his studies, played the usual games, took part in sports, and enjoyed his holidays, like every other lad of his age. Prince Henry went to St. Peter's Court for his last term in January, 1913. Leaving at Easter, he went to Newquay for a brief holiday before going to London to prepare for Eton. Back in London, he paid one more visit to Earl's Court Exhibition, and went down to Balmoral for the summer holidays. Years Before Eton But times were changing. He still had Prince George and little Prince John to play with, but the Prince of Wales was at Oxford, the Duke of York was studying for his naval career, and Princess Mary was quickly growing up into a woman. Nevertheless, there were many happy and enjoyable times, tramping over the heather, fishing, learning how to handle a gun, and taking lessons in deer-stalking. So the days passed towards autumn, and in September, 1913, the future Duke of Gloucester entered on his first term at Eton. Prince Henry, who was at King's soon settled down at Eton and followed the usual routine of the school, making friends as readily as he had done at Broadstairs. In November the King and Queen visited him at the college, but though Prince Henry was within a stone's throw of Windsor Castle, he was not allowed to go home unless there was a general holiday, even when their Majesties were in residence at Windsor. At Eton he became a "wet bob" and enjoyed the river as much as the playing fields, bathing at Cuckoo Weir, taking part in the races of the house fours, and going to Henley to watch the battle of the eights. It was in 1914 that Prince Henry had his first real experience of what is now his favourite sport—foxhunting. In January of that year he hunted with the Garth and proved himself to be already an excellent horseman. Two years later he gave a good account of himself in the Junior Steeplechase, and competed in the Eton College sports. Owing to the healthy school life and his determination to maintain physical fitness, his health had considerably improved, and was no longer a source of anxiety to their Majesties. By this time he was studying hard for Sandhurst, and passed his entrance examination in April, 1918.