DUCHESS OF YORK

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 9

DUCHESS OF YORK

OLD DAYS AT GLAMIS

1 AN INTIMATE PICTURE,

(Frmn OHf Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 23rd October.

The recent visit of the Duchess of York to her old home at Glamis is a reason for a writer in the "Weekly Dispatch" to recall tho days when "Lady Betty" was acting as hostess at her father's castle.

"A day from the page of her early history," says this writer, "is in a way more truly a reflection of the Duchess than the glamorous and exacting'day which is hers in London. It was a summer day, and it early became apparent that something important was afoot at Glamis. The Duchess was up betimes. With greetings to her invalid mother and breakfast over she carefully inspected her correspondence. By her mother's bedside she spent some time discussing the day's programme, letters, and news in the papers.

"The event of the day, of course, was an important luncheon aridjpresentation to a distinguished personage in Forf ar. With the practical advice of her mother, the Duchess made all the arrangements, and long before II o'clock she had been in conference with the housekeeper and assistants. Satisfied that everything was in safe hands, the Duchess betook herself to the rose garden and there supervised the choice of blooms for the decoration—a task she revelled in. With her own capable fingers she helped to form the scheme of decoration, and by 1 o'clock she had satisfied herself that everything was in readiness for the function at 2 p.m. ,A short spell with her mother left the Duchess about three-quarters of an hour to dress and be in readiness for her guests. In a very short time she came tripping down, looking sweet and girlish in a blue dress with a full skirt and tight little Jjodice showing a hint of lace at the neck.

ANXIETY TO PLEASE,

"Her anxiety and obvious desire to pleaso were very marked, even as they arc to-day, for nothing seems to stale the 'infinite variety' of Her Royal Highness, Ono by one the guests arrived, to be greeted with the spontaneous 'easy' smile so characteristic of the Duchess. Vivid, eager, and sparkling, the Duchess gave an impression of modern youth at its fairest and best. It was nearly 4 o'clock-before the gathering broke up and dispersed. The big and most trying item of the day was over.

"The Dowager Countess of Airlie and a few intimate friends stayed behind to have tea, and an hour sped by pleasantly. Finally, it was agreed that the Duchess should go over for the evening to. Airlie Castle, where a little party of friends was to meet. At 5 tho Duchess said good-bye to the Countess and the others, and then had a turn to see that everything was all right. After a quiet half-hour with Jier father and mother, sho. began to dress for dinner at Airlie Castle, and by 6.30 she was ready to pay her adieux.

AMONG OLD FRIENDS.

"Wrapped in a grey cloak, slir: stopped into the ear, accompanied by her brother, and sped away. Tn.o even my was clear, and many a homeward-bound worker on the Strathmorc Estate caught a glimpse of her, find, turning, smiled after the car. For everyone has a particular corner in his or her heart for 'Lady Betty.' . "Dinner began shortly after 7, and the Duchess was very much ;it homo, for everyone present was an old friend. There was no dancing. It was an informal evening. There was little'music in the drawing-room, mid time flew quickly. At 0 the Duchess apologised for leaving so early, as she had a Ing (lay before her, including- the opening of a flower show somewhere in Porfar. So by 10 o'clock the Duchess was back at Glamis, anrt that more or less closed one of her ordinary days."

85/ Fleet street.