H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 51, 7 September 1928, Page 5

H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES

THE STORY OF HIS LIFE1

EVENTS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

By Walter and Leonard Townsend; edited by Evelyn Graham. Read and approved by Sir Godfrey Thomas, X.C.V.0., principal secretary to His Royal Highness.

(All Rights Reserved.) Chapter 11. .Of all the six children of Their Magesties King George and Queen Mary of England, Edward, Prince of Wales, ■was by far the most troublesome as a tanall baby. His lungs were both "largo and vigorous"—as his grandfather, the late King Edward VII., used often to remark—but, although there were times »o doubt when White Lodge would have been more peaceful without the musical solos of the healthy young Princo, none of his Boyal relations had any but admiring words for his strength both of voice and robust young limbs. " The Duke and Duchess of York spent most of their spare hours with their first-born, and there were occasions when the Duchess would discover her husband making surreptitious visits to the nursery when she had thought him very much occupied with the duties of Royalty; „ During the first few weeks of convalescence beautiful, happy "Princess Mary's" knitting needles seldom ceased to click —and occasionally also mysterious parcels would, arrive from the Queen, ana the Princess of Wales (afterwards Queen Alexandra), which en being opened, revealed Bundry warm articles of baby raiment. Some of these tiny garments are still treasured by Her Majesty Queen Mary, and when produced on rare occasions and shown to tease the Prince of Wales, call for jocular contempt on his part—for His Boyal Highness possesses the truly masculine dorision for his own baby days. Not so his mother, however, who likes nothing, better than to grow reminiscent over the childhood days of her now grown-up children. The birth of a son to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York had ceased to be a source of jubilation to the general public when the Boyal. Family found itself faced jwith anew and difficult problem. HOW THE PRINCE RECEIVED HIS NAMES. Three weeks after the birth of the Prince Queefl Victoria summoned the member's of the Boyal Family to a consultation to discuss the question of naming tho little Prince. Naturally there must be some attempt made, for political and national reasons, to endow the child with Christian names which Blight satisfy the great numbers of subjects over which Princo Edward .would some day rule. Then, too, there ■must be taken into consideration the differing choices of the immediate Boyal Family circle. Already Queen Victoria desired that the infant should bear the name Albert; it is of sad interest to know that Her Gracious Majesty decided this after the birth of each of her grandsons (with one or two notable exceptions). It was, however, well known that other members of the Boyal Family flid not entirely agree with the wisdom of commemorating the death of the noble Prince Consort in this patronymic manner. The Prince's grandfather, "Good Old Teddy," as he liked to hear himself called by his subjects, was also anxious for reasons not unconnected with State to hand down to his grandson some of the popularity with which he had endowed the name —the late King Edward VII. was nothing if not sagacious; while it was only natural, and his mother's wish, that "George," his father's name, should be passed on to the eldest son.. Both the name and the personality of Prince George had boon very popular before he had attained promotion from Ms courtesy title of Prince; then, too, St. George was the Patron Saint of England. The Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra) also had another favourite name^Christian—her own father's name, which she would like to see bestowed upon her little grandton. And so the future heir to the Throne jvas three days later baptised as Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David. The laudable addition of the three national names, representing Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, satisfied everyone! THE CHRISTENING. At the special request of Queen Victoria the christening of the young Prince was to be entirely free from the usual pomp and splendour which is usually demanded by tradition of Boyal ceremonies. "It was to Tie a quiet family affair, and it had been arranged that the Queen, together with the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Teck, should act as godfathers and godmothers. Certain traditions—family traditions —were to be observed, however, as for instance the use of''tho historic gold bowl, which was to serve as a font, and which was especially transported from Windsor Castle to White Lodge for the event. All the Queen's ancestors born in England had been christened in this gold bowl for three centuries, since the reign of Edward VI. A christening cake, which the good ladies of Cheltenham had subscribed for between themselves, .was delivered at ..White Lodge, as were also two others. JTho official cake, measuring 30 inches |}iiglr, and with a circumference of over five feet, was specially made by the '■well-known Edinburgh firm of M'Vitie and Price. It was magnificently ornamented with the Eoyal Arms, Amis of the Duke of York, Arms of the city of Edinburgh, and embellished by York Roses. <On the. top a tiny cradle was mounted, to which was attached emblems of tho Union Jack and tho ''loyal Standard. The baptism took place in the draw-ing-room of the Lodge, a large room about 17 yards by 10, from which practically the whole of the furniture had been removed, in order that the wit- j nesses of the ceremony could bo comfortably accommodated. Tho hall outside, which leads up to tho room by a few'steps, was a mass of ilowei'R of all kinds. , From tho window of tlie baptismal room the green magnificence of Richmond Park met the eye. The golden font was placed close by •the window, for it was a dull and •howcry day. It is a fact worthy of note that nil the materials used in the ceremony ■were of British manufacture, and nothing would have pleased tho infant Prince more, we can bo assured, could •he have voiced his impressions, than this tribute to his own "Englishness." ,The exquisitely-designed font stood on & pedestal, over which had boon thrown a scarlet cloth cover, and grouped round were the Queen —seated on a fauteuil—her tiny figure seeming so insignificant, dressed as usual entirely iv ■black, the Princo and Princess of Wales on either side of her, while the child's •parents took their chairs nearby.. Occupying further scats wore tho Duke and Duchess of Teck, llio Princesses Victoria and Maud, Princes Adolphus, Francis, and Alexander of Teck, the Duke and Duchess of Connniißhl, tin; JJuke of Cambridge, the Duchesa of

'Fife, Sir Charles Oust (King Edward's staunch friend, and later King George's Equerry), Sir Francis de Winton, Lady Eva Grevillc, and the two medical doctors, John Williams and Frederick John Wadd, who had been present at the birth. ; Into the midst of - this homely—if so it may be called—assembly of Royalty entered the infant Prince in the gentle arms of its nurse, Mrs. Green, who placed it in Lady Eva Greville's arms (at which change tho little Princo set up a wail that echoed throughout White. Lodge), and sho in turn approached Queen Victoria, who had risen with trembling'lips to receive her greatgrandchild. She noticed that a tribute had been paid to her own youth by tho fact that the lace shawl in which the baby was wrapped was a replica of the pattern of her own bridal. veil. The service was tho samo as that ordinarily used for tho christening of children iv private houses, although the water which the Archbishop of Canterbury sprinkled over tho head of tho three weeks,old Prince was f'om a botfle, tho contents of which had been brought over by the Duke of York two y^ars, previously as a memento of his

visit to the Eiver Jordan. The only other officiating ministers were the Bishop of Bochester, Canon Dalton, and the Bey. the Hon. E. Carr Glyn. The ceremony lasted only a few minutes, and then the Prince was carried back to his cot (still shouting lustily), whilst the Queen and the Duchess of York and her mother took tea together in the green corridor. In a large marquee (the sun had now broken through the clouds), which had been specially erected to accommodate' the guests who had attended at White Lodge, tea was served amidst jubilant and animated,conversation, whilo the fortunate owners repeatedly glanced at tho white cloth-bound copies of the baptismal service specially printed for _the occasion and inscribed in gold letters, "White Lodge, 16th July, 1894"—souvenirs to cherish of tile auspicious event.' Now that tho Boyal child had been christened it had to be decided which of his various names should bo selected for private use by his family. Already tho official designation was Prince Albert Edward, and later Edward only (the Princo now signs himself just "Edward P."), but for family purposes these two names recalled sad memories, and it was his mother who chose "David" as the pet name for her first-born son, and by this ancient Welsh name he has always been known to his family and intimate friends/ and is still called to-day. Some few days after, tho christening ceremony the Duke' and Duchess of York, with the Boyal baby, moved from White Lodge, which was the residence of the Duke and Duchess of Teck at that thye, to York House, staying there until '4th' August, 1804, when tho Duchess of York, accompanied by her mother and Lady Eva Greville, left for St. Moritz, Switzerland, for a month's holiday of recuperation. DEVOTED FATHER. During his. mother's absence the Boyal Princo was taken back to White Lodge under the ablo care of his nurse, hihl the Duke, his devoted father found time in between his various public du-tic-i to spend an hour or two each clay with his young son. Ho would arrive unannounced at White Lodge, and without waiting ior the nurse to be acquainted of his presence would throw off his coat and hat and bound like an excited schoolboy up -tho stairs to tho nursery and creep on tiptoe into tho holy of holies sacred to tho presence of his little son. Sometimes the little Prince Edward would, bo having his evening bath, and nothing pleased the Duke of York more than to take tho materials from I the hands of the. nurse and attend to tho baby's ablutions himself. Whether these attentions were always appreciated by the little Prince is open to doubt, for, no matter how willing or how Boyal, a man cannot bath a small baby in as satisfactory a manner as a woman and a nurse. With his beloved May away recuperating at St. Moritz tho Duko went a good way to spoiling tho baby in tho abseneo of its mother. Never a visit did his Boyal Highness pay to his son without taking some small toy with which to gladden his littie heart and in order to watch his gurgling delight. At the' end of August the Duko journeyed from Sandringham, the Royal Estate in Norfolk, to York House, London, to bo ready to meet his wife, the Duchess, who was expected, to arrive from the Continent at any hour. Littlo "David" was also brought from White Lodge so that his mother could sco her baby at the first available moment. An interesting sight was tho reunion of the Boyal mother and her child. She was so pleased with the way in which the young Prince had been cared for during her short absence that sho presented the nurse, Mrs. Green, with a diamond and saphiro brooch and a gold

brooch-locket, containing a lock of her Eoyal charge's hair; while Queen Victoria sent her a valuable diamond and ruby brooch. The Prince's god-par-ents also sent a silver cream-jug and sugar-basin. Now followed an endless round of -public duties for the Duke and Duchess who, since the birth of "David," were very much in demand at public functions, and their child had i,o be left in the very capable hands of its nurso, superintended by the Duchess of Teek. Queen '^Victoria took a pathetic delight in showering the love which many thought had died with the Prince Consort upon her great grandson, "David." How many times she drove from Buckingham Palaeo and Windsor to tho little nursery, or sent, when she could not leave the palace, for the child to be brought to her. Her Ministers would scarcely have recognised tho regal little figure who could converse upon policies of State so acutely in tho fond, soft-faced woman who petted and spoiled the little child of her children's children. It was not long before she had one of the most suitable rooms in Buckingham Palace converted into a nursery for these frequent and happy visits, and herself chose toys and playthings to gladden the young honrt of tho appreciative child. This nursery at Buckingham Palace, not very far from the Queen's own boudoir, was sufficiently near for her Majesty to hear, by opening her door, the happy cries of tho little Prince, and often tho Queen would send for her great grandson at tea-time, and, sitting him on her knee, feed him with sweet tea that was not always quite good for him. The Prince of Wales does not look to-day as if any of these ipdulgences of his great-grandmother did him any harm, however.' There is a story that Mr. Asquith once had an important document handed back to him by the Queen, bearing her signature, but also a number of marks which quito mystified the great politician, until a colleague at the Home Office suggested

they hadn't had anything to oat for a day and a half. The man heard his wife moaning. " 'What's the matter with you?' ho aßked. ' T " 'I'm so hungry,' sho replied, 1 hardly know what to ■do.' "'Very well," said her husband, •I'll see to it.' " 'So ho got up, rang the bell near at hand for the footman, and when he came he ordered him immediately to bring a plate of bread and butter.' " Whether or not, little Albert enjoyed his brother's story, no one will ever know, but by the happy expression on "David's" face, he himself was very well pleased with his effort at original story-telling, and the lady had not the heart to point out to the youthful narrator that in a lonely cottage it was somewhat strange to find a bell so near at hand, which would conveniently summon a powdered footman with a plate of bread and butter to avert imminent starvation. "David" had always a vivid imagination, however, which did not always tako notice of practical matters, and his mother, seeing this, and having a great belief (as her mother had) in kind discipline, saw to it that an able governess was appointed to introduce "David" to the elements of tho "three r's." Despito some natural hesitancy at discovering a yoke upon his time and energy "David" soon took very kindly to his lessons, and, having a natural "inquisitiveness," .progressed satisfactorily, though his mother shrewdly seeing his love for games, used them to promoto his interest in study by allowing him a proportionate indulgence in the one, dependent upon his progress in the other. So many people are apt to think that it is unnecessary for princes to learn anything, except how to dress and how to conduct themselyes in public, that it would surprise them if they could have seen the care which the Duchess took to ensure "David" obtaining a thorough foundation in tho same lessons which wo have all taken during our childhood. A holiday was given "David" from his school lessons on the birth of his next brother, Prince Henry, on the last day of March, 1900, and in tho middle of December in the same year the little Prince heard for the first time that he was soon to lose his father and mother for a few months —they were to go on* a long, long tour round the world. This colonial tour had been contemplated by; Queen Victoria for the past seven years, but had been postponed owing to several causes, and now, the coming opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and tho great assistance given the Mother Country by Australia, New Zealand, and Canada during tho South African War, seemed to make it imperative. i Boyal consent was given to tho tour, and it can well be imagined that the father and mother of tho young Princos and 'Princess Mary were saddened at the thought of the coming enforced separation from their beloved children. DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA. Suddenly, in the midst of all the^preparations for the conditioning of tho vessel Ophir, which was to take tile Duke and Duchess on their tour, the Queen fell seriously ill at Osborne, in •the Isle of Wight, and" consternation reigned throughout England. As Her Majesty did not improve as tho days wont by, the whole of the British people—indeed, tho whole world —waited anxiously for more hopeful news. But tho great Queen's days wero quickly passing—she had been overshadowed by heavy care for over a year; round her sick-be.d were the spirits of tho bygone "Victorian" era. Sho knew that Eng f land was on the eve of a great change, and that- she was too old now to be able ever to mould her country on the now lines that progress was demanding. Littlo Prince David was one of the first to arrive at the bedside of his great-grandmother. On the 23rd of January, 1901, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, ■ and great-grand-children, the Queen passed away peacefully at twilight. The whole world was plunged into mourning, and the Duchess of York, gathering her children about her, extolled the virtues of their great-grand-mother simply and without exaggerated grief, so that they would always carry with them the memory of England's greatest Queen. Little "David" felt the loss of his great-grandmother if anything more than his brothers and sister, for ho had been her favourite great-grandchild, .and had boon closer to her during her last years than cither his younger brothers or sister. The little Prince felt the loss of .the Queen so acutely in fact that it was some weeks before he could again settle down .to his lessons and his carefully ordered existence. Mve days afterwards the Prince of Wales was proclaimed the Sovereign, to be known as King Edward the Seventh, "The Peacemaker," and on the same day the Duke and Duchess of York, together with their children, arrived at York House from Sandringham. At Sandringham there had not been a great deal of room to spare for romping, but in the new home "David" found.scope for his tireless energy and found great surreptitious delight in the long banisters of his new home for the purpose of discreet sliding. In the meantime the proposed colonial tour of the Duke and Duchess of York had been again postponed, but on the 15th of March, 1901, the Ophir lay moored alongsido tho south jetty at Portsmouth, and in a few hours tho father and mother of Princo David had sot sail on their seven months' tour of tho British Empire. Tho farewells from her beloved child-" ren almost broke tho Duchess's heart, so sho said later. As a slight consolation photographs of "David," "Bertie," and "Baby Mary" were hung in the Koyal cabin. In tho Duke's bedroom on board the Opbir was a portrait of Queen Alexandra and her. grandson "David," entitled "Grannie and Baby." Tho acute edge was taken off the parting, however, by King Edward's assurance that he would look after the children. And King Edward kept his word! ■ A few weeks later we find the children being taken by their grandfather and grandmother to Sandringhani-*-the country estate in Norfolkshiro so beloved of King Edward, where'they cujoyed themselves to the full in all mau~ nor of magic games known only to children. They' were frequently given treats, however, an outstanding one be-, ing when tho children were taken by their Aunt Victoria to witness a grand military tournament at Islington in June. ' This greatly delighted "David," whose soul was already wrapped up in things naval and military. On tins occasion . nothing would satisfy him but that he must claim the bearskin of one of tho officers in attendance and done this;with cries of delight. His Koyal Aunt became so convulvod with laughter at the littlo fellow almost hidden in the great military bearskin that sho could not be angry with her little nephew, and beyond retrieving the officers bearskin for him and gently chiding tho Prince allowed him to continue his mischievous way. Princo David was already fond of acrobating, and when ho came back from tho tournament he at once thrilled his younger brother and sister (Henry was scarcely a year old) with acrobatic, feats on the Hoyal furniture, which raised in little Princess Mary a wonderful admiration for his prowess- coupled with a "Mind, Dave, Mind!" which showed a characteristic "motherly" concern for his bodily safety (sho 'was only four years old!).. HAPPY REUNION. j On the lust day of October in tho j same year the Ophir, was again in the I

that it might have accidentally fallen into the hands of the little Boyal Priuce Edward—then the strange hieroglyphics resolved themselves into the faint resemblance to a pig with a eurlycurly tail! Perhaps the greatest treat that the little "David" enjoyed at tho hands of his great-grandmother were those occasions when he was permitted to accompany the Queen on the little drives she took in the grounds of either Buckingham Palace or at Sandringhain or Windsor in her donkey-drawn carriage, with her faithful and impassive Indian servants in attendance. ! Towards the close of November the Queen .went to Windsor Castle, and a few days later had the young Prince David staying with her for over a week. "Even when .the Duchess of York, freed' for a while from public duties, came.to take charge of her baby the Queen would have no.thing but that' the Duchess should stay on with her infant son at the castle for a little while longer. Considering how troublous were the times through which the Qneou was passing it is wonderfully human to note how many hours she was able to devote to her great-grand-children. "INDUSTRIAL PRINCE." On 14th December in the same year the thirty-fourth anniversary of the ■death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, and always considered an evil day for the.Eoyal family, tho ■eighteen-month-old future King was givon a littlo brother, our now popular Duke of York;, known throughout Great Britain as the "Industrial Priuce" on account of his interest in economic questions. This happy event banished for all time tho family's belief in superstitution. Although the- newcomer was joyfully received and endeared himself 7 to ever/on© with his sunny disposition, contrary to the usual rules he did not usurp his elder brother's placo as favourite, but supplemented it, and later, when there were fivo brothers, "David" was Albert's own hero. Sixteen months afterwards Princess Mary was born at York Cottage, Sandriughani—an added jewel to tho crown of the Duke and Duchess's happy married life and completing the "happy trio," as their grandmother, the Duchess of Teck, called them. Gladstone, the G.0.M., writes of tho late Lord Salisbury: "The event is of no direct political significance, but it is gratifying because it makes the direct line of succession to tho Throne still more secure. The Duke and Duchess of York have already borne two sons, and perhaps for that reason this littlo daughter will bo doubly welcomo." That the little Princess was welcome to "David" there- is no doubt. It was not long before ho found there was a great deal of fun to bo obtained from, sharing the toys which their father brought for him. Quickly he assumpd the attitude and position of "big brother." Sir Henry Lucy relates a very good story of littlo "David's" nursery days. "One day he and Albert Tomped into the guests' room and found there a visitor who had frequently interested tho two children' by her fairy stories. 'David,' looking at his brother, demanded there and then a new story from the lady. The guest, however, wus fully occupied for the moment, and, not wishing to disappoint tho princes, suggested, with sudden inspiration, thiit 'David', himself should tell his younger brother a story. Tho novelty of tho idea struck 'David' at once, and, after a brief pause, with his eyes fixed seriously in front of him, and his forehead wrinkled in deep thought, lie began: 'Once upon a time there was an old couple who lived in a lilllo cottage on the edge of a lonely moor. They wero poor, oh! so poor—

English Channel. There was a high sea running, and the children on board the Victoria and Albert could not at first get near the Ophir, but another attempt was made some hours "later, and tho two ships moored alongside each other. Separated from the glittering reception committee stood three little figures running frantically to "Papa" and "Mamma"—"So near and yet lo far" on the deck of the Ophir—they were "David," "Mary," and "Albert," the Hoyal children. When tho gangway was* fixed these three little personages became very mystified by the fact that they had to wait until the official welcomes wore over ■ before they could run to their parents and be drawn into their embrace. And what a meeting it was! Tears of happiness sparkled in the eyes of tho Princess of Wales at the reunion, and until the Victoria and Albert, docked at Portsmouth tho three young ones did not leave the side of their returnod parents. But now tho fond mother saw that her son "David" had gone beyond the ago for a governess, and on the return of the family to York House arrangements were made for the little Princo Edward to have a tutor. This advanced the career of tho now Prince of Wales another milestone. As the years passed the Princess of Wales discovered that "David" developed the usual propensities for mischief in a small boy "full of beans." There were times when his governess found her Koyal charges—"David," "Mary," and "Bertie"—something of a "handful,'' and stories of pranks played by tJie threo Royal children are often fondly recalled to-day by Her Majesty the Queen. Sometimes, for instance, when lesson time came for tho little Prince David his governess would find him missing from the nursery. On such occasions tho subsequent Hue and cry would re-' veal "David" hiding in the bedroom

of his mother--either in one of the capacious wardrobes or under the bed. Then the Princess of Wales would become stern and forbidding to the young truant, and when "David" was very naughty the "rod" was not spared, and ho was corrected in summary and painful fashion. Often, however, after giving him a good talking to, tho Princess would ask his governess to give him a day's holiday. In the various escapades of the "naughty trio" "David" was always the ringleader, and there are those who recall many amusing incidents which took place at York House during the childhood of their Koyal Highnesses the Princo of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Princess Mary. One favourite trick of "David" and ':'Bertie" was to steal from their beds on the occasion of a ball being held by their Royal parents, and, loaded with wet sponges from the bathroom, creep along the gallery that circled the ballroom and drop these wet sponges on tho sitting-out couples, and then scamper back to bed, well satisfied with, their evening's work. Once they evon went farther than this, and, procuring from some source a rather smelly fish, tied a piece of string to it, and dangled it On the heads of guests' sitting in secluded alcoves. But Nemesis, in the person of their mother, overtook them, and such punishment was meted out to them that it was some time before they transgressed in a like manner again. It is, therefore, of interest to note that the gradual development of His Koyal Highness's character was prefaced by all the healthy boyish delinquencies to be found in youth, and which formed a foundation to the clear understanding of children, which is one of his most attractive attributes today. (To be continued.) Another instalment will appear on Tuesday.