ROYAL ECONOMICS

Evening Star, Issue 17637, 16 April 1921, Page 10

ROYAL ECONOMICS

NO CEREMONY IN PRIVATE LIFE. [From. Cue London Correspondent.] February 24. Some very far-reaching economies have been gradually introduced by the King into tho Royal Household. It must be, remembered that tho rise in tho cost of living is felt in the Palace just as much as in less exalted circles, while, on tho other hand, 'is Majesty has had no expansion in the Civil List, The day has long gone by when monarchies wallowed in a sea of debts, extravagance, and hopeless financial confusion. Georage IV. died hopelessly insolvent, and the nation (which had thrice “ paid his debts in full”) had to foot another big bill. William IV. 11 never oaid a bill and never had anv money.” This was the testimony of his Court Chamberlain] The Prince Consort should be gratefully remembered for the example ha set in Royal housekeeping on businesslike lines, and, of course, thereby earned tbe reproach of being stingy. Right to tho end Queen Victoria was averse to waste, and she left a fortune of two millions. But during tho last few years the King’s Household expenses have mounted with terrific velocity, and that is why a drastic programme of economies has been evolved. It simply means that more' and more the King is "dispensing with ceremony in his private life. Attendants and Court officials are now being cut down to the absolute minimum, and His Majesty certainly lives more quietly than many wealthy commoners.