ROYAL ROMANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 8

ROYAL ROMANCE

DUKE AND FIANCEE J CHURCH SERVICE ATTENOIq! SABBATH AT BALMORAL 'j [from our own correspondent] By .Air Mail LONDON, Sept. 7 A day or two after the announcement of the Royal betrothal, five thousand people, drawn from all parts of the Highlands, waited along the tree-lined roadway from Balmoral Castle to the little grey church of Crathie to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Gloucester and Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott on their way to worship.

A Royal attendant passed on horseback through the_ castle gates. Following him came an open carriage, itji passengers the King and Queen and the Duke and Lady Alice. The stillness: was broken only by the twittering of birds. This was the Scottish Sabbath. There was no cheering. The crowd just smiled and waved its welcome.

Then a murmur of disappointment, went up from the women. Their ©yea, were rivetted on Lady Alice's left hand. All were hoping to see her en, gagement ring. But the hand she raised to the spectators was covered with a white glove. The carriage halted at the church and the people were able to see the Royal party at close quarters. Inside the church Princess Elizabeth could be seen sitting primly beside the King. Lady Alice sat between the Duke and her mother, the Duchess of Buo. cleuch.

The Rev. John Stirton, minister of Crathie and domestic chaplain to the King, began the service with a psalm. The King and cottager, Queen and maidservant, joined their voices in praise of God, and in that moment all barriers were broken down.

The sermon was preached by the Rt, Rev. Marshall Lang, Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Later the Duke left for London and the little Scottish pageant was over.