FAMILY REUNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 6 December 1920, Page 5

FAMILY REUNION

HOME COMING OF PRINCE OF WALES Half an hour after noon yesterday a train drawn by an engine with three white plumes on it drew into Victoria Station; a boyish figure, in the uniform of a captain of the Royal Navy, stood at the salute at the window of the middle saloon; and the Prince of Wales Avas' home again (says the London Daily Mail of October 12th. As the train stopped, the guard of honour, provided by the Grenadier Guards, presented asps, .the band played “God Bless tne Prince of Wales,” and a frock-coated railway official opened the door of the saloon in which the Prince had travelled from Portsmouth to London. A tall woman in gjrey, with an ermine fur round her shoulders, and a bearded man in the uniform of an admiral entered the saloon* The door was closed behind them. The King and Queen were with their eldest, son for the first time since he left London, more than seven months ago, for his 15,000 miles’ tour through Australia, New Zealand, and the WestIndies. For two minutes they remained inside the saloon embracing and greeting each other in the happy privacy of a memorable family reunion.

Then the Prince, looking tremendously happy, opened the door Kind jumped down on the red carpet laid on the platform of., the gaily beflagged station. He made straight' for his grandmother, Queen Alexandra, who had been standing to welcome him for more than ten imputes, and passing the time aw&v by talking to numerous people in the little, exclusive enclosure on the platform, 1 With an impetuous throwing out of his arms the Prince kissed her on both cheeks, and, catching her right hand, bowed low and pressed his lips against it. It was the spontaneous greeting of on© gene-, ration of a family to another, the genuinely, affectionate homage of Prince to Queen. . i His amazingly “fit” looking face sun and wind tanned, lighting up with a fresh smile, the nett turned to his sister, Princess Mary. Dressed in a simple frock of’blue, ermine round her shoulders, and a small hat crowning her mas® m golden hair, the Princess looked radiant as her brother . heartily kissed her first on the left and then on the right cheek. j After that, scores of people, notable in political, civic, and Service distinction, received enthusiastic handshakes from the Prince.