Trained Never to Fidget

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 124, 29 May 1944, Page 8

Trained Never to Fidget

PRINCESS ELIZABETH Not even by the flicker of an eyelid did Princes Elizabeth show any sign of upset recently when a hitch occurred during her last engagement as a junior miss. In the uniform of the Sea Ran gers, she attended a Sea Scouts' exhibition jn Westminster. After the Princess had been piped aboard a bridge at one end of tho hall, it was found that tho door was locked and the key could not be found. Elizabctli stood composedly for sveval minutes while Sea Scout Robert Fitch scaled a 10ft sheer Avail and opened the door Avith a jack-knife. Right from her Lilybet days, the Princess had been coached in lioav to act in public Avith composure, never to fidget, above all never to show boro doni. One of the first things done in the training, begun Avlien she Avas four, Avas to break a precocious assumx>tion of Royal airs. At' one function, the guests were asked to ignore Elizabeth, then not long out of tho toddler stage. But tho little Princess is said to have tugged at tho dress of a guest, and piped up, “Royally speaking!’’ On her ISth birthday, Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, heiress presumptive to the throne, came of ago in the Royal sense. In the event of tho death of King George VI, Elizabeth Avouid succeed directly as Queen. Before her 18th birthday a Regency Avouid have been appointed. ElizabetJi probably will make her home in St. James’ Palace. Parliament has voted her an annuity of £35.000.