SHADOW OF ROYALTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

SHADOW OF ROYALTY

THE LITTLE PRINCESS MOURNS "GRANDPA'S" FAVOURITE CAKE Princess Elizabeth, who is second in line for succession to the British Throne, presented a heart-broken little figure when informed of the death of her grandfather, the late King George V., to.whom sho was deeply devoted, says a Sydney correspondent. She sobbed bitterly, and refused to be comforted when, the Duchess of York, at Windsor, told her arid her little sistei Margaret, the sad news. The Duchess was very moved at the sight of her grief, but has wisely kept both children constantly employed ho that their young minds will not dwell unduly on the sadness of the occasion. Both children show an unusual aptitude for knitting and already Princess Elizabeth has knitted herself a pair of black gloves in a simple pattern, but very accurately done. The younger Princess has been more ambitious, and is busy knitting herself a black skirt and jumper. They have settled down soberly to these tasks, but although childhood mercifully soon forgets its grief, both Princesses arc very subdued. Although Heiress Presumptive to the Throne, Princess ,Elizabeth knows nothing of her changed position. It is understood that at the express Avish of the Duke of York, the Duchess will not inform her daughter of her increased importance in relation to the succession. Of courrie, the scope of her training will be gradually enlarged, but for the present it will go on much as at present, except that the Princess will have a tutor in international history. -. Meanwhile sho is busy learning the household arts at which her mother the Duchess excels. She makes her own bed

every morning, and helps to dust tho schoolrooms before lessons aro held. She has been particularly apt in regard to cooking, and already can bake simple cakes and prepare the more ordinary dishes. Just a week prior to the Inst illness of her lloyal -grandfather she baked him his favourite honey cake, which was presented to him with great pride. It was pronounced perfect and of a delicious taste by the late King, who showed evident pleasure at tho progress his grandchild was making in the domestic arts. Princess Elizabeth, however, finds her happiest expression in lino needlework. She has inherited the skill of her grandmother, tho Queen, in this direction. Her Majesty is well known as a beautiful embroiderer, and she has personally supervised Princess Elizabeth's needlework lessons. It is difficult as yet to assess her particular bent with any certainty, because she takes up enthusiastically all the tasks assigned to her.

Like tho late King and the present ruler, she is a great lover of little children, and dotes on her sister, the Princess Margaret Rose, to whom she yiolds up her most cherished toys and nursery treasures without tho slightest trace of resentment. She shows, too, a vivid interest in any charitablo or welfare work, and betrays great interest in the sick children in the hospitals to which boxes of her toys find their way from time to time.