NEW HONOUR FOR PRINCESS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26477, 19 July 1951, Page 2

NEW HONOUR FOR PRINCESS

Royal College Of Obstetricians

FELLOWSHIP AWARDED (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Sir William Gilliatt, who attended Princess Elizabeth at the birth of Prince Charles and Princess Anne, told the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists that it was to the Princess that the English-speaking world looked up as the ideal of young womanhood and motherhood.

He was speaking at the admission of the Princess to an Honorary Fellowship of the college by its president, Dame Hilda Lloyd. The Princess becomes the youngest Fellow. Two years ago the Queen was admitted at a similar ceremony. Professor R. W. Johnstone, Senior Fellow in Scotland, said that as obstetricians they had reason to believe that the Princess had proved a model patient. “I use these words in the most literal sense, for I believe that the perfectly simple and natural way in which she has accepted the dignity and responsibilities of motherhood has been an inspiring model to young womanhood, which many of them have been proud and eager to copy." The Princess said that, as a mother, she knew full well the value of the work the college did. “Your work is a powerful force in creating in the minds of women a calm sense of confidence and security as the time of baby’s birth draws near. It is good that every woman should have this peace of mind at such a great and thrilling moment in her life. “Members of this college have followed a branch of medicine which makes great demands upon them. They even more than other specialists must be ready at all times of the day and night. Their working hours are governed not by the appointment book but by the mysterious will of unborn children, and those, as we all know, are no respecters of persons. “But if the specialists’ work is hard. I am sure their reward is equally as creat. As my mother said to you'two vears ago ‘it is on the happiness oi home and family life that the true worth and strength of the nation depend.’ ”