IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 19450, 7 January 1927, Page 8

IN LONDON

A VAST CONCOURSE LEAVE-TAKING INCIDENTS LONDON, January 6. (Received January 7, at 11.25 a.m.) The ceremony, at Portsmouth was almost equalled in London, where human emotions had a sweeping triumph over tho bare formality with which it was designed the departure from Victoria station should ho invested. There was no guard of honor nor the pomp and pageantry usually associated with such an historic event, but the crowd was determined to give a background to such an impressive occasion, and grew so rapidly that the vast concourse spread from Buckingham Palace to Victoria station. Most of the Duchess’s intimate friends performed their leave-taking at Brunton street yesterday, but the few who came this morning quickly realised how keenly the Duchess felt leaving her baby behind. Tho Duchess employed every spare minute in running in and out of tho nursery fondling Princess Elizabeth till the summons came that tho car was waiting. The Duchess lingered for a last hug of the infant, and then laid her clown with a kiss, and whispered “(loci bless my babv.”

Only one close elderly friend witnessed this touching parting. Afterwards the Duke and Duchess of York sped in a limousine to Victoria station, the Duchess throwing a last kiss to the Princess in the nurse’s arms at the drawing room window.

En route there were incessant bursts of shrill greetings from women and girls, while the Mayfair society leaders stood on balconies and landings waving farewell. Among these wore many intimate friends.

As the ear entered the station a starling alighted on the roof, the onlookers acclaiming the incident as the happiest of omens.

The Duke wore a naval iiuilorm, and the Duchess a costume of dove grey with a fiat to match, and she had a big posy of violets in her coat.

Except for a crimson carpet and a few terns and chrysanthemums there was no attempt at decoration; indeed, the whole ceremony was purposely shorn of any touch ol pageantry. In the enclosure were Mr Raldwin, the Lord and Lady Mayoress, Sir Joseph and Lady Cook, Sir James Parr, Lord Realty, Lord Clarendon, Mr Oniisby-Core, and Mr \\ . C. Hridgcman, and they were soon joined by Lord and Lady StrMlunoie, tho Duke and Duchess of Connaught, ami the Princesses Helena amt Mario Louise. Their Majesties (Leave up soon afterwards, and the farewells were instantly begun, tho Duke and Duchess of York passing round a semi-circle of friends.

The Duchess presented a wistful, girlish figure, friends hold her hand, each littering a warm farewell. Once when the hand was free it was seen to he holding a tiny handkerchief which found its way to her ebooks as if to chase away a vacant spook of dust, and was then furtively brushed across her eyes. The company saw and understood. Then came the quiet and impressive parting with their Majesties and Lord and Lady Strathmore. The Duke had a few minutes’ coiuersntion with Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Parr, and told end) how eagerly he was looking forward to the visit, and expressed the hope that Lady Parr would soon lie convalescent,