EX-KAISER'S BIRTHDAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1938, Page 20

EX-KAISER'S BIRTHDAY

PINE AND ROSE TREE GIFTS

. Not since he went to Holland as an exile more than 19 years ago has the ex-Kaiser seen so many of his children and grandchildren gathered round him at one party. The occasion of his 79th birthday recently brought them all to Doom, and their presence put him in the best of spirits. • :'■■■ Although the family party was arranged in his honour, two other people also figured prominently. ' They were the ex-Kaiser's grandson, Prince Louis Ferdinand, and his fiancee, Princess Kira of Russia, and the gathering, therefore, also became a family party to celebrate their betrothal. It is expected !that the date of .their marriage will be fixed with the approval of the ex-Kaiser as head of the Hohenzollern family, states the Doom correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph." Princess Hermine, the ex-Kaiser's wife, was the first to congratulate her husband • and hand him her present. Soon the other members of the family surrounded their father and • grandfather and congratulated him affectionately. , Their presents consisted chiefly of young pine trees and rose trees for the pine wood and rose garden which he ; laid out several years ago on his estate, and in .which he takes a great pride. In the early morning the ex-Kaiser paid;a visit to,the'room in which his first wife died, where. everything has been left unaltered. He stood there silently.for a time and laid some j flowers'on the bed. .- Later there was a religious service in the hall,, where all gathered, and the , ex-Kaiser addressed them. A festive luncheon, and at night a simple dinner, saw the family together in the large dining-hall of Huis Doom. All the members" of the ex-Kaiser's small-Court at Doom sat among the guests. ■ -..■-<■- .Large bags full of letters, telegrams, and small presents arrived during the day,, and dozens of bouquets of flowers were received. Some, of the Dutch authorities living in the neighbourhood came to present ■their- compliments, and many others; including villagers,-signed their names in the visitors' book in the lodge near the main gate. In the afternoon a large fire of wood blocks, cut and sawn by the ex-Kaiser, was lighted in the so-called gentlemen's room and the guests sat round the fire.