King Not Likely To Make Empire- Tours

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1948, Page 5

King Not Likely To Make Empire- Tours

LONDON, Sun. (1 p.m.).—The King today remained at Buckingham Palace, where he spent the day quietly. The Queen, with Princess Margaret, attended morning service at St Michael’s, Chester Square, today. This is the first time the Queen has attended church outside Buckingham Palace since Princess Elizabeth’s baby was born.

The Sunday Express Court reporter says that, although official quarters have refused to comment, there is a substantial measure of truth in Press reports from Canberra that the King’s illness is more serious than early reports indicated. It is unlikely that the King will be able again to undertake any strenuous tours like the one planned for New Zealand and Australia. FEWER APPEARANCES There is nothing to prevent the King continuing the normal routine of receiving Ministers and reading and signing State documents and no question arises of setting up a Council of State or otherwise delegating the Royal powers, the correspondent adds. However, the King's programme from now on will be more on the lines of that of King George V. in his later years, with far fewer public appearances. Buckingham Palace officials, in accordance with usual practice, declined to comment on overseas reports that an operation was possible. NO OPERATION YET Reuters says it is stated semi-official-ly that no immediate operation is contemplated. No reference to the need for an operation is expected in the bulletin which it was stated at the time of the announcement of the King’s illness would be issued on Monday.