SECRET MEETING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 186, 4 May 1937, Page 9

SECRET MEETING

Duke to Leave Austria For France PARIS RENDEZVOUS Picturesque Farewell at St. Wolfgang WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received May 3, 8.30 p.m.) London, May 3. According to the Tours correspondent of the “Daily Mail” the Duke ci' Windsor, who has left St. Wolfgang, Austria, is expected to be met at- a secret rendezvous near Paris by a motor-car from the Chateau de Conde, where Mrs. Wallis Simpson is staying. Mrs. Simpson may travel by the car io greet him there. A message from St. Wolfgang states that villagers crowded 50 illuminated boats on the lake and picturesquely farewelled the Duke of Windsor. Singers, dancers, and a brass band assembled on a platform supported by two barges and proceeded to the villa after dusk leading the procession of waler craft. The Duke of Windsor stood on the balcony of the Hatts Appesbach for two hours listening to folk songs and watching the clogged performers demonstrate their national dances. At the conclusion be received the burgomaster, who expressed the village's sense of the honour the Duke had done the village by his visit. The simple pageant was not. marred, even by the Nazis, who seized the opportunity to set on fire a giant wooden swastika on a hillside. Arrangements For Wedding. The Tours correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says a story of the Duke kissing a pretty French girl on the Somme battlefield lies behind the plans for his marriage. The mayor of Monts, the nearest town to the Chateau de Conde, is Dr. Charles Mercier, whose wife recalls that when King George V visited the Somme front iu wartime, British headquarters were situated in the village in which she resided. Her father frequently entertained officers, and she was chosen to present a bouquet to King George, who thanked her and asked 'the Prince of Wales also to express his thanks. The Prince shook her hand and kissed her on the cheek. Now Dr. Mercier, as chief magistrate, will marry the Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson. Dr. Mercier con* firms this statement. The date has not yet been fixed, but he has been asked to visit the chateau shortly to discuss arrangements with Mrs. Simpson and the Djjke. Madame Mercier says “I am sure the Duke lias not forgotten the Somme incident. I should love to attend his wedding.” Mrs. Simpson has been golfing and looks sunburnt.