THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12700, 8 March 1904, Page 3

THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD.

Those who consider themselves learned concerning the Court world might well be surprised to know that his Britannic Majesty’s household contains over 100 individuals, headed by the Keeper of the Privy Purse and terminated by His Majesty’s Master of Music in Ordinary. In comparison with this imposing crowd of distinguished men Queen Alexandra’s household appears more than modest, for it only consists of fifteen.

In looking down the list of names of those who compose His Majesty’s household one cannot help noticing how faithful King Edward has been to those who were about his person when he was still Prince of Wales, and also how often members of the same family are chosen to occupy important posts. The King and Queen take a very kindly interest in the children of their friends, in this following the example set them by Queen Victoria, who during her long reign had in more than one instance three generations successively in her service. Yet another fact which may be mentioned is King Edward’s obvious affection for the Army. A large proportion of those whom he was chosen to be about his person were noted, not as carpet knights, but as valiant and brave soldiers long before they were connected with the Court. By a happy coincidence the two members of the Royal circle who are most closely associated with our King and Queen are united in the closest and most affectionate natural bonds. Lord Knollys and Miss Charlotte Knollys are brother and sister, and what the one has now been to the King for thirty-three years that is, private secretary and the closest of confidential friends—the other has been to the Queen for an equally long period. The Knollys family have a’ historic connection with Royalty; indeed, there was a Sir Francis Knollys who married Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin, Kitty Cary, and who was with her luckless aunt, Anne Boleyn, on the morning of her execution. As regards the position held by Miss Charlotte Knollys, it would be almost impossible to overestimate its importance. Since this ‘ lady became bed-chamber woman to her beautiful Royal mistress she has never had a rival in Queen Alexandra’s heart, and her constant companionship has become such a necessity to the Queen that the two are hardly ever parted even for a day. Of the group of distinguished men who play so great a part in the Royal circle (says the “Woman at Home”) particular interest attaches to Lord Farquhar, an old friend and neighbour of the King and Queen, whose appointment as Master of the Household was marked by some radical changes, especially at Windsor Castle. General Sir Dighton Probyn, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, is in some ways the most distinguished of 'His Majesty’s military friends. He has a right to fifteen letters after his name, of which the first four signify perhaps the two most coveted distinctions, excepting the Garter, which can befall a British subject—that is, Privy Councillor and- the Victoria Cross,