Royal Grandchidren Now Growing Up

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

Royal Grandchidren Now Growing Up

By ARTHUR NETTLETON—(Copyright)

born. Princess Margaret arrived at Glamis Castle—the first Royal Princess to be born in Scotland for generations —on the sultry and stormy night of August 21, 19150. The momentous question in the Royal Family circle was —how would Princess Elizabeth regard the newcomer. Would the new baby b e accepted as a new playmate, and would she willingly be allowed a share of motherly and paternal affection. Princess Elizabeth soon settled the question. "Please may 1 take a peep at her?" she asked, when she was told the news. Just a discreet peep was allowed. Princess Elizabeth was delighted. "We're going to have such fun!" she cried. "I'll let her play with Julie" (Princess Elizabeth's favourite doll) "and she can ride on my pony, if she likes." Princess Margaret Rose was early noticed to bear a striking resemblance to her mother when she was a* child. The likeness has particularly pleased the people of Scotland, and especially the many inhabitants of the Glamis neiehbourhood who knew Queen Elizabeth as a baby. 'Princess Margaret has grey-blue eyes, dark-golden hair, and a clear, musical voice. She has had the same nurse as her sister, and has- received the same careful upbringing. At Lessons On the other hand, she has a personality of her own. There are friends of the Royal Family who say that Princess Margaret has a rather more serious disposition than her sister. This does not, mean any disparagement of Princess Elizabeth, but merely that Princess Margaret takes life in rather a different way.

FIRST thoughts suggest that Princess Elizabeth, being Heir - Presumptive to the British Throne to-day, mu3t occupy the first place among the British Royal grandchildren in order of age. But the Princess only celebrated, her. twelfth birthday on April 21 ; her cousin, Viscount Lascelles, was fifteen on February 7. She owes her precedence to the fact that the Crown passes down through the children of each Royal Prince cr Sovereign, in order of the ages of the Princes. Thus, all children of the present King George rank higher than the children of His Majesty's brothers or sister, no matter what the children's ages may be. "The Little Princess" (as Princess Elizabeth is very often called, in spite of the fact that she is really growing «P) was bom on April 21, 1926, at the liondon home of her maternal grandparents, 17 Uruton Street. The house, though it never ranked as a real Royal palace, was nevertheless a fitting birthplace for a Princess so near to the Throne. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth, had spent many happy days during her childhood at this London residence of her parents, and from its unostentatious portals she set out for her wedding, almost exactly three years before the birth of her daughter. Early Guidance

nursery was therefore made for the Princess at 145 Piccadilly, London. This nursery merits mention, for it has played an important part in the upbringing of both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose. A rooift on the top floor was chosen, and Queen Mary, the baby's grandmother, helped in its planning. The choice of the top floor can now be revealed as arising partly from a desire to avoid anything likely to "spoil" the baby. "I don't want her to realise her popularity, 1 ' said her mother. "She must be kept in ignorance of it for as long as possible; otherwise she may be encouraged to adopt airs which would destroy her naturalness. If the nursery is made on a lower floor the comings and goings which are constantly occurring will arouse her curiosity, too, and she may in that way become acquainted with the fact that she is a popular little Royal personage. There ( is yet ample time to acquaint her with the responsibility of her status." * No Food Fads

At the start of lessons proper, the Princesses were kept at their studies from 9.!30 until 11 in the morning. Their first books, with which they were taught to read, contained simply fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Later, the lesson period was extended, and to-day Princess Elizabeth spends from 2 till 4 in the afternoon, also, iti studying. Foreign languages are an important feature of the curriculum, for the HeirPresumptive to the British Throne must gain fluent command of the tongues of other countries. Queen Mary gave Princess Elizabeth her first French lesson, and nowadays the Princess is expected to converse entirely, in that language while she takes tea on one afternoon each week.

Queen Klizabeth lias never had any faddy ideas about food either for her children or for herself and her husband, and though meals are carefully planned, her fust consideration is whether or not a suggested dish is wholesome and nourishing. For instance, the Queen knew from her childhood experiences the value of Scots porridge "It was one of my staple foods as a child at Glamis Castle," she stated, and she saw that her little daughter had plenty of it. The voting Princess also received some fresh, sweet fruit or fruit syrup daily, as soon as she readied a suitable age, and site was encouraged to substitute this for cakes and similar confectionery. Princess Kliznheth was live, and had begun to develop that charming and natural personality which has won her the heart of the world, when her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, was

History naturally figures prominently in the curriculum especially those historical incidents which have affected Royalty. Hut the subject is one in which Princess Elizabeth was not particularly interested—until about a year ago. The change arose from an idea adopted at the instigation of Qftecn Mary. Her Majesty noticed that her granddaughter was a far from enthusiastic history student, and she set about remedying this state of affairs Grandfather's Talks Collaborating with Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary arranged for the Princess to visit various places of historic interest. The Tower of London was toured as well as London museums; Windsor Castle was thoroughly gone through from the historical angle; and whenever Princess Elizabeth went driving hia-

Very earlj in the lite of the Princess, she was given a new home. Her parents since their marriage had already occupied White Lodge, Richmond, arid Chesterfield House, London, but even when they took up residence at 17 Bruton Street it was regarded as inadequate for their needs. A new

How Queen Elizabeth The Education PRINCESS ROYAL'S TWO BOYS ARE KEEN ATHLETES

torical objects en route were pointed out to her. Geography is regarded as almost an equally important subject, for Princess Elizabeth , may some day visit most parts of the world. Here again a novel plan has taught her a great deal in a short time. Her beloved grandfather, the lato King George the Fifth, used to seat her on his knee and arouse her imagination by telling her of the places ho had visited. He described the wonders of India, Australia, New Zealand, America, and many other parts of the globe, all from first-hand knowledge. Sonio of these places he had not seen for years, but he retained vivid recollections of them. Scripture lessons appear on the list of subjects laid down for all the Royal grandchildren. And here, without irreverence, a little anecdote may be told. Princess Elizabeth once puzzled her parents for several weeks, by repeatedly asking: "What is an oyster man?" The reason for this strange question did not become apparent until Queen Elizabeth one day read to her daughters a Bible story. "That's it, mummiel" Princess Elizabeth suddenly cried.

The passage read: "Moses "was an austere man." Princess Margaret's inborn musical talent prompted the inclusion of music lessons in her curriculum at an unusually early age. The nursery gramophone comes into service hero, for she studies her notes by its aid, in the modern way. She greatly enjoys listening to radio music and spends many hours in front of the radio receiver. As an indication of her musical ability it may be mentioned that she can hum tunes which she has heard no moro than twice. Cricket With Villagers But "all work and no play" is as detrimental to Jack as to Jill, and all the grandchildren of Queen Mary have outdoor recreations. The two sons of the Princess Royal are keen cricketers In the days of Queen Victoria, rising Royal .sons were not allowed to play cricket, because it meant that they would have to play with children of lesser rank! To-day all that is changed. During'the summer season Viscount Lascelles and his younger brother, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles, wield their bats with teams of young cricketers gathered from vil-

lages near Harewood House, Yorkshire. The brothers captain opposing teams, and they are keen rivals for the honour of winning. The younger boy was highly delighted on one occasion when he despatched his brother for three runs. The cricket ground used for these 9 matches is on the Harewood estate, but is also at the disposal of local village teams. Princess Elizabeth spends most of her spare time with her pets. Dogs are

her delight, and several doggy pals always wait her comings and goings. When her mother was presented with a small Tibetian Lion dog, in 1934, Princess Elizabeth at once adopted the animal as her special charge.

Royal Lodge, in Windsor Park, has always been a favourite residence of the Royal grand-daughters. They long ago discovered that at this house tho greatest freedom was allowed. King George the Sixth and Queen Elizabeth took over the house in 1932, and this step soon turned out to be a happy one from their children's noint of view. Here the two Princesses have continued their education, paying special attention to the social aspects. Learning to Ride When Princess Elizabeth was seven, her late grandfather gave her a Shetland pony. Later, her father presented to her a small riding horse, again as a birthday gift, and morning rides in Windsor Great Park became the rule whenever the Princesses and their parents went to Royal Lodge. The late King George the Fifth had previously given similar riding encouragement to his grandsons, Lord liascelles and the Hon. Gerald Lascelles. In addition to riding 011 tho Harewood estate, the boys now also attend hunting meets in the Yorkshire district round their home.

Between Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose there exists an even stronger bond than is usual between sisters. It was Princess Elizabeth who nicknamed her sister "Bud," and it was Princess Margaret who sent into the sick room, when Princess Elizabeth was indisposed with a chill, a favourite doll. Previously, Princess Margaret had resolutely refused to part with that doll to anybody. Happy Home Lite At one time it was widely believed that Royal children led a restricted life, but since Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Hose became popular public figures, that idea has completely collapsed. To see them in public is to realise at once that behind their unaffectedness is a really happy home life. To them, probably the most enjoyable public appearance is their annual visit to the circus, at Christmastide. They can laugh with the rest, jump to their feet and applaud in sheer delight; and sing popular songs witn the crowd. In short, at no time does shyness hamper their lives or socia standing handicap their '' At home tliey .are charming and care

free, but with just that and poise which distinguishes them as members of the British Royal Family. "When I visited Princess Elizabeth at home just after her last birthdayV stated a society lady not long ago, "she did the honours of the nursery with all the manners of an ambassadress, offering me food with the impressing politeness of a perfect, hostess find showing herself a good listener as well as conversationalist. And whenever she saw that her visitor was trying, however feebly, to be humorous, a smile rewarded the effort. To sum up this now rapidly rising member of the Royiil Family, I would say that I have never met a child who seemed more in love with life." .• The Royal granddaughters are being taught homely accomplishments, as well as social ones. They are given sewing tasks, and, to further develop dexterity, they have knitting lessons. Some of their work has gone to charitabla organisations for distribution, or. haa been put to good use in other ways. < At Buckingham Palace Since the Princesses moved to Buckingham Palace a complete apartment of their own has been constructed/Both Princesses occupy their own little bedrooms, wherein they keep their special treasures. A special kitchen and staff rooms are included in the Princesses' suite. Buckingham Palace was the scene of an incident which may be related as a finale to this study of the Royal grandchildren. Princess Elizabeth had been taken there, and had been told that she must curtsey when she met King George the Fifth Queen Mary. She was only four years 5 old at the time, and said she did not want to curtsey. Very tactfully she was persuaded into agreeing to do as she was asked. The King and Queen entered. The Princess made a perfect curtsey—with her bacfc toward Their Majesties! • . She long ago outgrew this mischievous stage of her development, bus to-day she has the-same high spirits, though they are tempered with ever-increasing sense of Royalty s responsibilities. Some day she miy Queen; it is certain that all the Royal gnnfdcbildren will-at no date have to occupy positions of gxeat importance, influence and trust. This is the destiny which is being, constantly borne in mind in their | ip Everything supports that, tvhen the time comes, they ..j naturally into their even more .exalted 5 places, and will fulfil their duties in a truly Royal way. • - \