PRINCE’S PROMISE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11407, 7 January 1931, Page 2

PRINCE’S PROMISE

MARRTAGE WITHIN A-YEAR

■* ‘IRRESPONSIBLE G OSSIP”

Soon after the Duchess of York’s second baby was born receutjy a„Ne.w, York newsppaer published a sensational story alleging tliat as the baby was another girl ,tho Prince of Wales would marry within a year to ensure, •in case he should die,' that there should bo a male heir to the British Throne.

The story was written by Gertrude, Lady Decies, widow of Lord Defies, and it gave details of a supposed pledge that the Prince had given to the Duke and Duchess of York, says the “Observer.”

It began, wifli these, headlines, in big type :

PRINCE OF WALES

PLEDGED TO SEEK A BRIDE WITHIN A YEAR.

LADY DECIES TELLS HOW BIRTH OF SECOND YORK PRINCESS MAY END HIS BACHELORHOOD.

“Now that the Duchess of York, with a devotion to tho British R«»v»] lino which may transcend Amen :an understanding, has given birth to a second Princess, all eves are turned upon the Prince of Wales,” wrote Gertrude, Lady Decies. “Will the Prince make good the pledge those closest to him know he gave to Lis brother and sister-in-law, the Dune and Duchess of Work, tliat if a, male heir to the succession failed ho would put aside his personal feelings and marry within a year someone who may bear a son to succeed him on the Throne of the British Empire. . “ ‘Edward P,’ the sky-rover, the world traveller, diplomat, mixer among men, at last has come to full realisation of what his birth imposes upon him. ‘Much us his private instincts and the whole force of his vivid personality may dictate that lie ‘fly solo’ for unnumbered years to come, this airman-Prince of Wales finally is believed to have come face to face with one of the most serious responsibilities of bis position.

“The Royal line of -Windsor —called Saxe Coburg-Guelph before the war —needs a male heir in succession if its prestige is to ho maintained.”

Then Gertrude Lady Decies adds many intimate details about the Duchess of York and the Prince of W.ales, which, though not couched in offensive terms, are in very bad taste.

Unfortunately (says an English paper) such an article would be accepted abroad as being based on reliable information, whereas it contains nothing . but conjecture and irresponsible gossip. Gertrude, Lady Decies is a daughter of the late Sir John Pollard Willoughby. She has had a varied career.

Since 1918 she has been hotel proprietress, rabbit breeder; shopkeeper, and tea garden owner.

She went through the Bankruptcy Court in 1920, when her unsecured liabilities were £26,680. with assets valued at £3648. An application for her discharge in bankruptcy was made to the Court in October. 1921, and lier -’discharge was suspended for two years. A statement was made in the bankruptcy proceedings' rha-t Gertrude, Lady Decies during 1918 bail taken an empty flat in Lower Bolgrave St. and had started a rabbit breeding establishment under the style- of The Hutch. The idea was to sell the fur and capture the German trade. In. 1.919 when she converted her private house at- Sumiingilulc into the Scotswood Golf Hotel, the venture Failed. Recent years have seen Gertrude, Lady Decies living in Essex. Three years ago she had —at the time of the Guttcrdige murder a small house close to the spot on .the Rom-i’ord-Ongar road, where the police’ constable was murdered. Teas weresold in the garden there. Another business enterprise, in which she- was interested was a woman's hair-dressing etablishment in a tiny cottage in' Romford.