DUKE GOING TO PARIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 11

DUKE GOING TO PARIS

AUSTRIAN FAREWELL

SECRET. RENDEZVOUS

WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

LONDON, May 3.

According'to the Tours correspondent of the "Daily Mail," the Duke of 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 to greet him there.

A message from St. Wolfgang states that villagers crowded fifty illuminated boats on the lake and picturesquely fare welled 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 water craft.

The Duke of Windsor siood on the balcony of the Hausappesbach for two hours listening to folk songs and watching the clogged performers demonstrate their national dances. At the conclusion he 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. A KISS ON SOMME BATTLEFIELD. The ' Tours correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says that 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 ( in 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 confirms 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 Duke. Madame Mercier says: "I am sure the Duke has not forgotten the Somme incident. I should love to attend i.is wedding." i

Mrs. Simpson has been golfing and looks sunburnt.

The Duke of Kent is expected to represent the Royal Family at the wedding.