PRINCE OF WALES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 119, 15 November 1929, Page 11

PRINCE OF WALES

A NEW BIOGRAPHY

STORIES OF HIS YOUTH

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, 2Gth September.

Two young journalists (Messrs. W. and L. Townsend) have written a biography of the Prince of Wales. The publishers (Marriott) states that the manuscript was read by Sir Godfrey Thomas, the Prince's private secretary. If it does not contain any "revelations," that is, as the authors truly say, "because there is nothing sensational to write about the Prince of Wales." The book is a straightforward narrative, interspersed with anecdotes to_ illustrate the Prince's personality me authors, restrict their comments and thus avoid most of the perils that beset the biographies of Royalty. The Prince's happy childhood is well described. Queen Victoria made much of her eldest great-grandson, and had a special nursery installed for-him at Buckingham Palace. - "David"—the pet name which his mother always used lor him, soon grew into a high-spirited and mischievous boy, who led his brother and sister in their nursery escapades.

( One favourite trip of "David" and Bertie" was to strut from'their beds on the occasion of a ball being held l>y their royal parents,. and, loaded with wet sponges from the bathroom, creep along tfie gallery that circled the ballroom and drop these wet sponges on the sitting-out couples and then scamper back to bed well satisfied with their evening's work. It was "David" who, on his bicycle, played "Follow-my-leader" among the flower-beds at Sandringham— not to tlie advantage of the flowers. It was X)avid who onco hid the equerry's helmet when the Duke and Duchess were setting out for a drive. In 1909 the late Tsar visited Osborne College.. The Prince acted as his guide, and at the end led him to the tuck shop. Here the Tsar was introduced to all the particular friends of "Edward of Wales," who had been carefully instructed beforehand to be there, as the Cadet-Prince ' shrewdly surmised that his Imperial kinsman would most certainly "stand treat." In this, he was not disappointed, and an hour later some half a dozen cadets including "Edward of Wales," strolled' back to the college with satisfied grins on their faces, while the Tsar returned to the Tsarina complaining bitterly of indigestion.

PARTNER AT A DANCE.

An incident at Panama is recalled: During th e evening, it was noticed that the Prince chose as his partner a very pretty girl whose dancing greatly pleased him. After a time the unrest amongst the more important feminine guests communicated itself to the Prince's staff, who were informed that the chosen partner of H.R.H. was but an assistant in a drug store. It was also hinted that ladies more important socially were awaiting tho honour of a dance with the Prince.

. "Tactfully, the matter was broached with the Prince . .'. • Hj s reply to the veiled reproach was typical:— "An assistant in a drug store," ho said. "Well, it must be a jolly good drug store!". Afterwards he fulfilled his 'duty dances" and returned once more to the partner of his choice." At Osborne "on one occasion during a conversation Prince Edward referred to 'my grandfather, the King,' and because it was considered a violation of the point of honour connected with the Prince's presence at the school one boy took exception to the reference. High words followed, and the Prince, losing his temper for once, invited his opponent to fight. The! Cadet-Prince put up a very good show indeed. The fight took place in the. dormitory in which .the _Prince slept, and a place was quickly cleared where tho combatants could have perfect freedom. The fight lasted nearly half an hour, and 4 it is difficult to say who would eventually have taken the count, because the oflicer on duty, hearing of the affair promptly put a stop to it." *

BTISmESSLIKE AND METHODICAL.

Of the Prince's private life the authors tell us something. The Prince is businesslike and methodical.

The Prince, when' at home, commences work promptly on the stroke of 10 a.m. The rooms on the ground floor of York House have been turned into a suite of offices, where work tho Prince's staff. The Prince himself has a remarkably largo amount of clerical work to perform. His mail, which is, as with all Royalty, very large, receives immediate attention each morning, necessitating the personal attention of the Prince anil his private secretary. His Royal Highness keeps a strict eye upon tho expenses of his household, and this entails frequent audiences with his Comptroller, who attends to the financial side of tho Prince's affairs. The staircase leading to the first floor of his residence is broad and intricately carved, and forms a marked change from the stiff, modern apartments of the ground floor. On the first floor, where the Prince has his living-rooms, there is a most cosy atmosphere, for here is the scene of the Prince's private life, where he can sit at ease in his own armchair, reading his book or paper, and enjoying a quiet hour free from the strain of his many functions. There is nothing spectacular about the Prince's life at York House; it is quiet, simple, and homely. Quite a large portion of the Prince's spare time is spent in carefully perusing the newspapers, for, although the Prince holds no brief for scandals, gossip, or sensational news, it is imperative that -he should keep a sharp eye on the national events, economic situations, political crisis, and so. forth, in order that he can better carry on his work.