THE PRINCE’S NEW HOME

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 34, 3 November 1928, Page 18

THE PRINCE’S NEW HOME

MEMORIES OF VICTORIA’S REIGN A visit to Marlborough House, now practically ready for the reception of the Prince of Wales when he returns from his visit to Africa in the early part of next year, brings back many memories of the days when this residence was the London home of King Edward and Queen Alexandra, as Prince and Princess of Wales (says the “Queen”). Many of the rooms, and these include the whole of the State Apartments, remain in much the same condition as then was the case. One prominent feature of the “old” Marlborough House, however, that has now disappeared is the glass portico—it could scarcely be dignified by the name of ‘conservatory” —which formerly led from the drawingroom suite into the garden. King Edward used this as a sort of smoking lounge, and a very cosy retreat it made with its floor of bright yellow and blue tiles, and its divans and easy chairs. In the centre was a small marble fountain which contained a mass of ferns over which the water played. It was hero that the then Prince of Wales delighted to sit with his friends in the cool of a summer’s evening. Many a good story and amusing incident was related here, and among the many figures, now, alas, all departed, which one recalls seated here are those of Sir Francis (afterwards Viscount) Knollys, General Sir Dighton Probyn ,the Duke of Fife, Sir Horace (afterwards Lord) Farquhar, and Colonel Farquharson of Invercauld. The gardens at Marlborough House today present something of a bare and unfamiliar appearance now that many of the fine old elms have been hewn down. This has had the effect of banishing the small colony of wood pigeons that formerly had their homes here, and whose gentle cooing so greatly delighted Queen Alexandra when she took her evening strolls here. A memory of her still remains, however, in the shape of the high bank that overlooks the old Colour Court of St. James’s Palace. This is provided with seats, and is still known as “the Princess’s Mound," by reason of the fact that it was here that the late beloved Queen Mother loved to station herself in a morning to see the time-honoured ceremony of the changing of the guard, and to listen to the gay music of the band.

Another pathetic memory that remains in these gardens is in a corner hidden by trees. It consists of four tiny tombstones side by side, recording that beneath them lie three of Queen Alexandra’s dogs, together with a pet' rabbit One wonders if the burying place of another rabbit is commemorated anywhere. Among the many alterations that have been carried out to Marlborough House in order to render it more convenient for the Prince of Wales bas been the provision of a new and very handsome dining-room. Thus the great State dining-room downstairs remains practically the same as it has always been. This is one of the most striking apartments of its kind to be found in London at the present day.

During this summer the Irish League of Nations Society, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Dublin Council of Women, have worked hard for peace propaganda, the work taking the form of collection of signatures for a resolution calling on Governments to adopt immediate measures for disarmament.