Popular Royal Pair

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 14

Popular Royal Pair

Duke And Duchess Ot Kent

*PHE possibility of the Duke of Kent becoming Governor-General of a Dominion has been canvassed for the past two years. He has keenly desired such a post, but the disturbed international outlook has prevented his seriously contemplating the prospect. The fact that the decision is now made suggests that the King’s advisers foreshadow more peaceful times for a considerable period. It is believed that no specific term has been fixed, but that the Duke and Duchess will probably remain for two or three years in Australia. Hard-Worked Royalty. It is not likely that they could be spared for five years, since their transference will increasingly burden the already hard-worked Royal Family, who seldom have a day without a round of public engagements. It is understood that an announaement will shortly be issued to the effect that the Duke and Duchess will carry on without alteration their present programme of public engagements until midsummer of 1939, when they will seriously concentrate on arrangements for going to Australia. Although the appointment is not without precedent, since the Duke of Connaught and the Duke of Athlone, both, members of the Royal Family, were Govemors-General, it is not likely that any similar appointments are imminent. The Duke of Gloucester, apart from his heavy round of public activities, must remain in London, because in the event of the King’s absence he would be

Simple Biscuits. Rub a cupful of butter into 5 cupfuls of flour that have been sifted with a good pinch of salt. Put 2 cupfuls of sugar and a cup of milk in a saucepan, and bring to the boil. Let this cool, shen stir into it 1 teaspoonful of bi-carb. soda. Stir this into the flour mixture, roll out. cut into biscuits, put them on a greased slide, and bake in a quick oven until golden brown. « Tennis Cake. Six ounces sugar, ooz. butter, 3 eggs, tablespoons milk, 12oz. self-raising

Regent until Princess Elizabeth’s majority. A further Royal appointment to a Governor-Generalship is made the inure unlikely by his Majesty’s projected visit to Australia v/iich, in any event, in view o-* the visit to Canada, is not contemplated before 1941 at the earliest. Their two children will accompany the Duke and Duchess to Australia. Other announcements regarding the appointment are expected to be made at intervals, as plans begin to develop. Easy, Unconventional. The Duke has shortly to fulfil several public-speaking engagements, although it has not so far been decided when he will make the first public reference to his appointment. Chatting with a journalist, a friend of the Duke’s said: — “I am sure the Australians will take the family to their hearts. Nothing is likely to appeal to Australians more than the Duke’s delightful unconventionality and independence of mind. “He has the Duke of Windsor’s flair for captivating the man in the street. For example, when he went to the Motor Show recently, instead of proceeding in accordance with routine, he went here, there and everywhere, as the spirit moved him. “He frequently drives his own car around London. He will suddenly decide to dine out with the Duchess, and visit a theatre afterwards unattended, buying seats at the box-office like any ordinary theatre-goer. “The Duke of Kent, again like the Duke of Windsor, seems to be possessed of tireless energy. He will fulfil a heavy day’s engagements, then play a vigorous game of squash racquets, keep an evening engagement, and probably dance until the early morning. Ardent Family Man. “He is not only the best ballroom dancer in the Royal Family, but is without a rival among the smartest young men-about-town. He is an adept at the ‘Lambeth Walk,’ and the ‘Palais Glide,’ and an expert on dance-band instruments. He is quite happy conducting any dance band.

“He is a keen golfer and skier, and at the same time is an ardent family man. The newspapers from time to time publish photographs of the happy father romping with his equally happy children in their lovely Buckinghamshire home, ‘The Coppins,’ which the Duke inherited from his aunt, the Princess Victoria. “Following in the Duke of Windsor’s footsteps, the Duke of Kent has lately shown great activity in all branches of social service. He has made three or four visits to occupational centres and rural communities inspecting council work, unemployed camps, and all classes of new industrial areas. Leader of Fashion. Referring to tlie Duchess of Kent, the same friend said: “Australians who have not already met her will discover her to be a very gracious, charming and lovely lady. “She became Britain’s leader of fashion almost the moment she crossed the Channel, but she 1 as never looked more beautiful than recently, when she reintroduced the Edwardian hats and coiffure which all Britain’s smart women -ave followed. “Her European travels and contacts have given her a knowledge of foreign flour, 1 tablespoon grated chocolate, i teaspoon vanilla. Cream butter and sugar, add beaten eggs, then the milk and essence; lastly the well-sifted flour. Divide into three. Leave two plain and to the third add the blended chocolate. Bake in three well-greased chessboard tins from 30 to 35 minutes. Turn onto a sieve to cool. When cold join with jam or lemon cheese —the brown cake in the middle Cover with thin, warm icing coloured a >sery pale pink. When s* t cut into slides. Serve on d’oyley in wicker basket. Cheese Souffle. Melt loz. of butter and add loz. of

affairs and languages unrivalled in the Royal Family. “Her town house in Bel grave Square and her country house, ‘The Coppins,’ are perfect examples of English homes. Judging by the Duchess’s re-decoration of them, she will insist on comfort and informality in her Vice-Regal residence. “She does not favour radically modern furniture or decorations, but prefers smart simplicity. She dislikes formal, stuffy homes. “The Duchess’s adaptation of the nurseries in Belgrave Square is characteristic of her praetical-mindedness. Her favourite pastel creams, greens and browns will probably be adopted in any re-decoration of her Australian residence. “The Duke and Duchess are certain to like Canberra’s flowers and trees. They are keenly interested in gardening at ‘The Coppins,’ which are covered with rambling roses and wistaria. The Duchess is a talented artist in water-colours. At the Women Artists’ Exhibition in July, she exhibited a study of a woman’s head.