SECRETS OF THE KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

SECRETS OF THE KING.

WOMEN WHO NEVER TALK.

SIX TACTFUL SECRETARIES. NAMES THAT ARE UNKNOWN. Six women who arrive at Buckingham Palace at nine o'clock every week day morning know more of the secrets of politics and diplomacy than any other women in Britain, says a London news paper. They never talk about their secrets, not even to each other.

These women are the secretaries to the King's advisors and the high officials ot the Court. One woman comes every morning across the Park from Piccadilly, one from a women's club in Buckingham Palace Road, and another from Victoria Station. They typo documents that begin with words such as:— " Secret and confidential: For Cabinet use only." " Personal and private: For the use of Ine Prime Minister only." Every morning at nine tho six women settle down to their desks in the little offices of the Palace, cheerful with white paint and scarlet carpets. The business of the day begins with the first ring of a bell summoning one of them to Sir (/live Wigram, tho King's secretary Seven or eight at night often finds them still busy, acknowledging some important Government despatch that has just come in by King's Messenger, or turning some message into code. Some Compensation.

These women worked hard in the dark days of the King's illness, when a common bond of anxiety united every one at Court; they stayed on night after nichL until midnight and after, waiting sometimes with dread in their hearts for the doctors to send down the next bulletin.

Tho women work hard, but there are compensations. Wherever the Court goes, they go too, travelling with the King and Queen in the royal train, to Sandringham, Balmoral, Windsor, or Cowes, living in the Castle, with the freedom of the lovely grounds at Sandringharn or the Great Park at Windsor. Their names must not be revealed. They are unknown alike to the public and to many of those who profess an inside knowledge of the Palace. Their photographs do not appear in the newspapers, but they work ouietly behind the scenes, a vitally important part of tho delicate organisation that is the modern Court of St. James'. This year, in the Honours List, the name of ono of the women j.fpeared against an 0.8. E., with the simple explanation '' for services," but only rarely does recognition like this come their way. Kindly Words and Smiles. More frequent, and just as much appreciated, is a kindly word from the King, or an encouraging friendly smile from the Queen. Most appreciated of all are the yearly Christmas gifts—a jewelled brooch with the royal cipher from the Queen, a signed photograph from the King. All the women are unmarried, one or two saw war service with the women's organisation, others have family links with tho Court. One quality they all possess in the supreme degree—tact. At tho head of the six workers is the •all; quiet personal secretary to Sir Clive Wigram. With her dignified personality, her neatly shingled hair, her air of capable efficiency, she looks and is the perfect private secretary. For several years she was attached to the late Lord Stnmt'ordhnm, the King's friend end confidential adviser, arid when Sir Clive took h : s place last year she remained. Away from her work, she is happiest playing golf at a London club or on the private links at Windsor or Balmoral.