DUKE OF WINDSOR

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 9

DUKE OF WINDSOR

ARMISTICE SERVICE AT ST. GEORGE'S

CANON DART'S ATTITUDE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, November 11. Canon Dart, vicar of St. George’s, in a Press statement, said: “I would rather the Duke of Windsor did not attend the service. I am glad about all he did in the war, but my attitude to the church, divorce, and remarriage is most definite. Marriage only ends before God when ended by death. If the Duke conies to my church, because he was once on the throne I will give ■him the best seats that I can, but 1 won’t speak to him. An official of the British Legion will take him to his seat, and ho will go out with the Legion.”

DUKE DEEPLY AFFECTED WISHED TO PAY HOMAGE. PARIS, November 11. Until an early hour this morning the Duke of Windsor discussed with Lord Brownlow and other members of his suite the situation created by CanonDart’s attitude.

An officer of the household stated that the Duke -wishes to pay homage to Britain’s war dead in a dignified maimer as a private citizen, and exsoldier. He was deeply affected hy Canon Dart’s statement, and will consult British Legion officials before making a decision. SERVICE NOT ATTENDED MEMBERS OF LEGION ANGERED. PARIS, November 11. (Received November 12, at 8 a.m.) The Duke of Windsor decided net to attend the service, making the statement that he had no desire to interfere in the ceremony. Members of the British Legion, angered at Canon d’Art’s attitude, held an indignation meeting outside the church before the service. The flag bearer refused to carry the flag, declaring: “ It is a dirty trick. The Duke is a veteran.” Canon d’Art, wearing six war medals, addressed the demonstrators, saying: “ I do not refuse the ex-King entrance to the church, but I refuse to speak to him.”

The legionaries decided not to act further and marched into the church. Two seats remained empty, being reserved for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

CANON DART'S EXPLANATION AN UNAUTHORISED STATEMENT, PARIS, November 11. (Received Now-ember 12, at noon.) Canon Dart, interviewed, said; “An hour before the service I informed the Duke’s equerry that I had not authorised the statement attributed to, me, and that if the Duke attended the service he would be received by me and the congregation with all the respect due to the King’s brother. The last thing I wished to do was publicly to insult a man who was unable to defend himself. I wish to take this opportunity of publicly apologising to the Duke.”

LEGION’S INVITATION DECLINED PARIS, November 11. (Received November 12, at 10.35 a.m.) The British Legion invited the Duke of Windsor to attend the ceremony of commemorating the Empire dead at the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Duke replied: “As observance of the two minutes’ silence which I desired to pass in the church with you has gone, I feel it would be inappropriate to be present this afternoon. I hope, however, you will give me an opportunity of meeting you on another occasion.”

It is stated that the Duke of Windsor observed the silence in his suite at fhe hotel.