BABY EXPECTED IN OCTOBER

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25514, 7 June 1948, Page 7

BABY EXPECTED IN OCTOBER

Princess Elizabeth NO ENGAGEMENTS AFTER THIS MONTH

LONDON, June 4. Princess Elizabeth is expecting a baby about the middle of October. The first official indication was given to-night In a Buckingham Palace announcement, which said: “Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, DuchesS of Edinburgh, will undertake nd public engagements after the end of June.”

The child will be second in line of succession to the British Throne. Princess Elizabeth Was married on November 20. 1947. The announcement confirms rumours which have been circulating during the last three- months. Palace officials have been besieged with inquiries. Doctors in attendance on the Princess ate likely to be Sir John Weir, Physician to the King, and Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Mary, who Was the first homeopathist appointed to the Royal Family; Dr. Ivan Magill, the famous anaesthetist, and Mr Cedric Lane-Roberts, a gynaecologist and one of Britain’s foremost obstetricians. Ptincess Elizabeth’s immediate engagements include the Debby to-mor-row and the Ndtiohal Festival of Youth and Spbrt at Wembley tb-morroW’ evening; a drumhead service of the Grenadier Guards, of which she is Colohel-in-Chief, including the taking of the salute outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday; the conferring of the Freedom of the City of London on the Duke of Edinburgh at the Guildhall on June 8; and visits to the Ascot races with the Royal partv on June 15. 16, 17, and 18.

Princess’s Engagements Since her return from her crowded five-day visit to Paris with her husband, Princess Elizabeth has undertaken an even mbte strenuous programme than Usual. Paris admired her for keepihg many official and private engagements although she often looked wan and pale. At the Trooping of the Colour bn June 10. Princess Elizabeth will watch from the Horse Guards’ Arch. Last year she rode with His Majesty on the parade. The Princess’s last engagements in June are on June 28, when she will make an inspection of the depot companies of the Grenadier Guards at the Caterham Barracks in the morning, and in the afternoon she will open the children’s hospital at Bafisteaa. It is not known where the Princess hopes to. have her baby, but her probable choice is between Windlesnam. Mbor, which she and the Duke have leased, or Balmoral, where she may join Their Majesties for their summed stay. Clarehce House will not be ready until next year. The birth of this child will be the first in, direct line of succession since that ef Princess Margaret 18 years ago. It will be Their Majesties first grandchild. The position of children born to Princess Elizabeth is not altered by the fact that she is Heiress Presumptive to the Thfbne, as the law does not exclude the possibility of the birth of a son. to the King. Princesses do not transmit theit titles to their • children, and therefore no title is provided for the Children of Princess Elizabeth until after her succession to the Throne.