Marriage Proposal To Princess

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22721, 20 August 1948, Page 5

Marriage Proposal To Princess

Margaret Predicted (11.30 a.m.) PARIS, Aug. 19. The Marquess of Blandford, the 22-year-old heir of the Duke of Marlborough, may propose to Princess Margaret on her eighteenth .birthday on Saturday, according to the right wing Paris newspaper L’Aurore. Quoting Court circles, L’Aurore said it was admitted there was every chance of such a match being made. “If a marriage is arranged, it is hardly likely that an official announcement would be made immediately because Their Majesties would prefer to await their return from the tour of New Zealand and Australia. The Royal Family is traditionally opposed to prolonged engagements. Qn the other hand, a marriage before their departure would set difficult problems. * The Princess could not think of abandoning her visit because of the disappointment this would cause New Zealanders and Australians. The engagement may be announced towards the middle of July, 1949—the date of the return from Australia—and the marriage would then take place in the autumn.” This story, signed by the paper s special correspondent, M. J. R. Pecheral, said the Marquess had been specially invited to Princess Margaret s birthday party. ~ - . “This event has naturally given further encouragement to the rumour that a marriage is virtually certain.