Netherlands Baby has Many Godparents

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 25, 30 January 1943, Page 2

Netherlands Baby has Many Godparents

It is officially reported from Ottawa that the thiru daugnter of Princess Juliana has been cnnsiened Margnei Francisca. The godiathers and godmothers of the newly-oorn princess will ue her Majesty Queen Mary oi England, President Roosevelt, the Earl ox Athlone, the widow of a Dutchman who died a martyr for his country ana whose name under persent circumstances cannot be disclosed, and the

crews of tho Netherlands merchant Fleet, who, following a request by Queen Wilhelmina through Radio grange, will act communally as godfathers.

Queen Wilhelmina, broadcasting to her peojile in the occupied Netherlands and Netherlands by Radio Orango on January 21, explained, at the parents’ request, the reasons for tho choice of the name Margriet. The Queen explained the intention of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard to establish by the choice of this name a life-long bond between the grievously tried people of the occupied part of the kingdom and the newly-born Princess. Second Name Means Liberty

Margriet is the Dutch word for tho white flower marguerite, which was budding in Holland in May and was covering the fields and meadows when tho Germans overran Holland. “Above al, ’ ’ said the Queen, ‘ 1 the name Margriet is a reverent tribute to our heroes of the laud and sea wherever they have fallen in the world, to those who died, martyrs to their country’s cause. May it soon be given to Margriet to grow up in her own country amid her people, like her namesakes blooming in the lields. ”

As a present to the new Princess from Queen Wilhelmina, Prince Bernhard took with him to Canada an old family jewel in the form of a marguerite flower with a pearl centre and diamond petals. The Princess’s second name, Francisca, means liberty.