QUEENS AND PRINCES

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 2

QUEENS AND PRINCES

AS MUSICIANS ABILITY TO SIKG AND PLAY The news that the Prince of Wales has composed a march for the bagpipes reminds us that His Royal Highness is about the most accomplished performer in the Royal Family. He has learned to play the pipes, by no means an easy instrument, and before that he mastered the banjo and the ukulele (writes M. Lindsay Pearse,’ in the Melbourne ‘ Argus ’). He was taught to play the ukulele by Kal Keech, an acknowledged expert. If various forms of instrumental music pall, the Prince of Wales is capable of entertaining his friends with conjuring tricks. He is one of the keenest amateur magicians in England. An amusing story is told of the Prince of Wales as a banjo player. When his Royal Highness was at Oxford it became known that certain undergraduates, rather extreme in their views, had invited a Communist agitator to visit them in college to expound his views. Hosts and guest were equally surprised when the Prince of Wales, complete with banjo, entered the room, saluted everybody with mischievous grin, and, sitting down, began to play and sing ‘The Reg Flag.’ There was a little conversation after this impromptu show, and before he loft the Communist had modified his views, at least of some representatives of monarchy. The Duke of Kent is the pianist of the four sons of the King. He loves to play for the amusement of his friends, and will sit at the piano and accompany dancing, having all the popular dance tunes literally at his fingers’ ends. The Duke of Kent is not addicted to classical music, but anything likely and melodious appeals to him. His Royal aunt, now Queen Maud of Norway, used to be the most brilliant pianist in the Royal circle. In fact, good judges used to say that her performances were as good os those of many professional pianists. Before she was married, Her Royal Highness was staying at a country house belonging to one of her most intimate friends, passing, as she sometimes did on these occasions, under another name. Her hostess persuaded her to play in the drawing room after dinner one evening. When she had finished, a musical enthusiast aiming the guests strongly

advised her to take to the concert platform !

Her Majesty Queen Mary has a light but very sweet soprano voice. She was taught singing by no less an expert than Signor Tosti, composer of ‘ Goodbye ’ and many other popular ballads. The Queen’s voice, however, has never been heard outside the family circle. Another accomplishment of Queen Mary is sketching in water colour. As Princess May she lived for two years in Italy with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Tech. It was there that she developed her talent for drawing and painting. She brought home books full of sketches in colour of the Italian scenery. In this pursuit Queen Mary .follows in the footsteps of Queen Victoria, who, in her younger days, had a passion for sketching from Nature. Queen Victoria was taught by the most successful instructor of the day, William Leighton Leitch. When the Queen was at Balmoral she loved to draw the scenery around her Highland home, even in the coldest weather. She seemed to be impervious to cold, and her unfortunate attendants would have to sit and shiver while the Queen placidly proceeded to transfer to her sketchbook some scene which had taken her fancy.

Queen Victoria was taught singing by M.audelssohn. She loved to sing duets with the Prince Consort, with Mendelssohn at the piano. The composer has left on record how pleasant were the times when the Queen, the Prince Consort, and he joined happily together in making harmony. Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke of Edinburgh, took himself very seriously as a violinist. He was undoubtedly a great enthusiast. He was never so happy as when he persuaded professional musicians to join him in concerted pieces. His brother, who became King Edward VII.. took up the banjo ns a fad at one time.