SENSE OF DUTY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 9

SENSE OF DUTY

PRINCE AND HIS TASK

A STUDENT OF MEN

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 13th December.

In connection with the Prince of "Walos's homecoming, the "Evening News" points out that, however successfully His Majesty fights his illness, the Prineo of Wales will have to carry out important duties for a long time. : ,

"There aro somo misconceptions by people who know nothing about the Prince except that his photographs look 'boyish' and that he is fond of sports," says "The- News." "These people imagine him to bo easy-going; aud, to spoak plainly,, there is a legend that the Prince rather deplores being a King's eldest son.

"It. may be —fo'i<.Royalty is human —that any man in 'such a position would now and again feel somewhat wearied by years upon years of ceremonial. But the Prince has not shown a7iy signs of weariness, hardworked though lie lias been; and to think that he is easy-going .is a delusion. The very, opposite is' tho case. He .is anything but indifferent to his exalted- post; and, despite his tact and kindliness, he has a very strong will of his own. ■

"On his tours of the, Dominions and in tho United States t.Jic Prince has been a model o£ seriousness—a great asset to his country in the' most practical ways. _ To many of. the people ho was moving among ho 1 was a romantic figure. But, as'his actions and speeches on those journeys showed, his set motive was to do good for his country with no thought of himself." STUDENT OF LIVING PEOPLE.

Writing of the Prince's return "The Times" says:—; :

"This instinctive haste, this prompt unquestioning response to advice .from a quarter which' he respects, are'both entirely characteristic of'the Prince of Wales; and, since he is bound in the immediate futuro to take a larger part in the national life than has ever yet been required of him, it is well that they should be. emphasised to-day. Like his grandfather, tho Prince of Wales is a student of living people rather .than of the written word.' A keen, interest'in different types of manhood,, and opportunities for meeting them immeasurably 'greater than those of other men of his years, !have supplied the place of the text-books of political theory. It is certain at all events that ho has* long realised in every detail, and will always observe with absolute fidelity, the duties and the limitations of his position. It may •ilso be predicted with confidence that .surveying in advance these duties- and licso limitations, ho will not content hiniselt entirely with' them, but will seek such openings as, are legitimately lus to play somo individual role in af-ian-s Nor is it altogether unlikely that King Edward's long and useful influence m Europe— acquired while he was Prince of Wales and distinguishing all his subsequent reign—first suggested to his grandson the wisdom of cultivating friendship and! knowledge betimes in another field. In any ease it 33 not without significance at this moment that tho main experience, and presumably the personal interest, of tho Hto Apparent should lie in the Lnghsh-speaking world of the British -Dominions and tho United States He returns at a time when tho firm hold of the Royal House on the affections of the whole Empire, immensely strengthened as it has been by King George's deep devotion to duty, has been more signally displayed than at any previous period m our history. In helping the King ho can best help also to build for inmself hereafter the same sure and permanent place in the heart of tho British peoples."