ROYAL children

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 28 January 1936, Page 7

ROYAL children

A UNITED FAMILY

SKETCH OF CAREERS

THE THIRD GENERATION

In their sorrow at the death of King George tlie people of the Empire win be mindful of the blow that bus fallen upon tlie happy and united family o. which he was the head. Everything that: the outer world knows of the Royal household gives clear proof c: the love and loyalty that bound the King and Queen to their children and grandchildren. These ties have endured from the simple home in which the Duke and Duchc-ss of York reared their sons and daughter to the King’s last months, in which they welcomed a third daugh-ter-in-law and the birth of a fifth grandchild.

Four of the Royal couple’s children were born before the future King had attained the title of Prince of Wales. They were married on 6th July. 1883, and their eldest son, Prince Edward, saw the light on 23rd June, 1884. T'lie Prince was Queen Victoria’s first greatgrandchild in the direct line of succession, and his birth was welcomed by the itoyai Family and the nation alike as an assurance that the male line would continue for many years. THE PRINCE IN THE WAR Prince Edward was educated and trained with a view to the high office lie was destined to fill. Like bis father, lie served for a-'number of years m the Navy, but it was' as a soldier that he took part in the Great War. Entering it as a lad of IS, he found his manhood, as he was wont to say in after years, upon the fields of France. Although every effort was made to ensure his safety as heir to the Throne, ho. never shirked danger and often got into “tight corners”.which gave far less concern to him than to those who were responsible for seeing that no harm befel him. . When the war was over the Prince became an unofficial Ambassador of Empire in the United States and South America and on the Continent ot Europe, and in the course of his travels visited almost every part of Ins father s dominions. His tour of New Zealand in 1320 is vividly remembered. It was the wish and hope of all British. people that “Prince Charnr.ng should marry, but he did not, in spite of many eagerly-circulated rumours, and now for nearly a decade the public has settled down to the prospect of having a bachelor King. THE DUKE OF YORK Unburdened by the responsibilities of a family, the heir apparent set himself to lift, as far: as possible, the weight ot public duties from his father’s shoulders. He was tireless in the promotion of good causes, and p'articulavly of everything that made for the welfaic of youth. By frank and candid speechmaking he became a new link between the Throne and the people, adding much to the new conception of kingship that George V. had built up. No one who has watched his career can doubt that the monarchy will be dynamic, not static, in the years ahead. Born 18 months after his brother, the Duke of York also did war service, but in the Navy and later in the Royal Air Force, llis marriage, in April, 1923, to Lady Elizabeth BowcsLyon, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, aroused the affectionate interest and goodwill of tlie whole Empire. Tim union created a new precedent, inasmuch as it opened the possibility that a descendant of:the old Scottish nobility nii<dit one day sit upon tlm throne of Britain. Ollier royalties had married daughters of peers, but none ol them had been high up in the line of succession. PRINCESS “LILIBET” The dark-haired little duchess quickly won all hearts, and the popular regard for her was increased by the birth ol Princess Elizabeth in April, 1286. Tins beautiful little girl, known in (lie Royal, circle as “Lilibet,” now a charming child, full of vivacity and intelligence, is rightly deemed a precious national, possession. While she was still an infant, her parents made an Empire tour, and in New Zealand they received a welcome winch equalled in enthusiasm that which the Dominion had given to the Prince of Wales . . Her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, was born m August, 1830, and is equally beloved by all.

DAUGHTER AND GRANDSONS Their Majesties’ third child. Princess Mary, was born in April, 1897. She was brought up very quietly and camelittle before the public eye until the war, throughout which she did humble and arduous service as a volunteer nurse. In 1922 she married Viscount Lascelles, son cf the Earl of Harewood and an officer with a fine record of combatant service. They have two sons, George, now Viscount Lascelles, horn in 1923, and Gerald, who is 18 months younger. Last year the princess health caused a good deal of anxiety, and she was obliged to undergo a throat operation, from which she made a good recovery. Next of the late King’s family in order of ago is Prince, Henry, Duke of Gloucester, of whom New• Zealanders have recent memories, for he visited them at the end of 1934, in the course ol a tour, the .occasion of which was the Melbourne Centenary. The duke, who all his adult life has been a cavalry officer, is probably of all the family the most ardent sportsman. Last. November ho made a most popular marriage with Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, daughter of'the Duke of Bucdcucli. PRINCESS AS BRIDE The youngest of- the .four surviving brothers is Prifico George, Duke of Kent, born in December, 19.02. As a youth be entered the Navy and served 'in home waters and on the Cnma and American stations until 1929, when it was decided that his healthy was not sufficiently robust for a furtnor cared at sea. He was then attached to the Foreign Office,- being the. first.-member of his family to take up active y/oiv: in a Government department. HiV marriage, m November, -1934, to Princess Marina of Greece, was hailed with dolight by all classes and the Royal bride won instant affection by .her beauty and vivacity. The birth of her son, Prince George, in, .October .last .was the. occasion for 'much rejoicing. Their Majesties’ _ youngest chili!, Prince John, was an invalid lor most ol his short life and died in 1919, at- the age of 13. The bereaved parents received from the nation a silent sympathy which was more expressive than any demonstration could have been. Now the same feeling, more intense m degree, goes out to the widowed Queen and to lier sons and daughter in their hour of trial and grief.