MARY OF ENGLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23333, 29 April 1939, Page 13 (Supplement)

MARY OF ENGLAND

Continuing the Life Story of Our Beloved 1 » QUEEN AAARY Recounted by DIDA (Her Nurse)

To her daughter-in-law. ELMA ADAMS

THE birth of Princess Elizabeth in 1926, ■ the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, and first grand-daughter of King George and Queen Mary, was an important event in the history of our Royal Family. To-day that baby is Heir-presumptive Jo the throne. ■ In spite of the heavy showers of rain, icrowds waited all day outside the house, where she was born at 17 Bruton Street, the London home of Lord Strathmore, hoping to hear the news at first-hand. They were not disappointed. Now and again from behind the curtains a face would peep. At one moment they were so sure it was the Duke of York that tl\py raised cheers. He smiled and disappeared, but those in the street below knew he was now » happy father. Her First Grand-daughter Presently a nurse came out on to the balcony, looked down upon them all, smiled broadly and nodued. Then she went in. The news spread over London in the shortest space of time that a princess had been born. After the happy event, Queen Mary was the first to call at Bruton Street

stood beside her husband, waving as they took their last view of the tliree brothers who had come to see them, off, and of the people on the jetty below. During her parents' absence Princess IMizabeth spent most of her time in the care of her grandmother, Queen Mary. She was getting old enough to sit up gnd take notice of things going on about her. She liked the music of the bands and the. pipers and liked watching the Changing o£ tha Guard. But, above all at this time, she loved playing with her cousins, Princess Marv's sons. Margaret Rose She began to be recognised when out driving with her nurse, Mrs. Knight, in the park; and it was not long before she learned to wave to the passing children. But she was very happy, too, when she stayed at Glamis with her other grandmother, the Countess of Strathmore. After their return from their Australasian voyage, the Duke and Duchess of York settled in at 145 Piccadilly, and the little Princess was now seen about with her mother, who was so hap-py at being back with her baby again. To the unrestrained delight of her mother's Scottish people, Princess Margaret Rose was born at Glamis four years later. Margaret is a name borne

to see the little princess, her first grand-daughter, ana when she descended from her car the waiting people cheered energetically, waving their handkerchiefs. Her Majesty turned to give them a charming smile berdte she vanished behind closed doors. Princess Mary came next, herself the mother of two sturdy boys, and other members of the Royal Family followed. All day the stream of callers continued, making inquiries, leaving messages, and signing their names. It was. not • long befcre a selection of pictures of the new princess appeared in all the papei-s; ft pretty infant with a light crown of fair curls adorning her tiny head. She was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace; though as soon as she could speak she called herself "Lillibet." Water from the River Jordan was used at the ceremony and was poured into a golden font thathad been brought from Windsor especially for "the occasion. At the crucial moment she; raised a tiny clenched band and screwed up her face, but she did not cry.. The baby Princess was wearing a magnificent lace robe that had been used by her great-grandfather Edward VH., her grandfather George V., and her own father, the Duke of York. When the' baby was only about seven months old, her parents left England on their noted world tour in H.M.S. Renown, and as the battle cruiser slowly began to move, the sun broke through the clouds, turning the sea into a sheet of gold. Smiling, handker- j chief in hand, the Duchess of York

by many a Scotch girl ever Bince Queen Margaret of Anglo-Saxon times had converted her husband, Malcome Canmore, to the Christian faith. Shortly after the birth of his second grand-daughter King George gave Royal Lodge, a delightful house that stands in Windsor Gre.vb Park, to the Duke of York so that he and his family J might enjoy the benefits of a country I residence near Windsor Castle, where ! the King and Queen often stayed. Royal Lodge is the favourite home of his successor to-day. Inseparable Sisters Her sixth birthday was a meniorable one to the little Princess Elizabeth. Besides her first pony (the gift of Queen Mary), the people of Wales had sent her trie miniature house that now stands in the grounds of Royal Lodge. Unfortunately on its journey to London it was damaged by fire and had jto be repaired, so it. was some little 'time before Princess Elizabeth could pat her "house in order." This delightful toy contains ; real (furniture carved in oak. In the bedroom there is canopied bed, a wonderful grandfather clock and a Welsh .cradle. There is even a bath, complete with fittings and a hand-basin with taps. Over the mantel- ! piece in the living-room hangs a portrait of Queen Elizabeth. I Princess Elizabeth shares all her toys ! with her younger sister, who is her i constant companion, whether at home at play or when they attend such func- : tions as are necessary to their Royal j rank. -They are seen often with their mother shopping, and very frequently

Queen Mary takes them to places of interest. For instance, they never miss the annual circus at Olympia, and their delight in the clowns and animals is amusing to onlookers. At the wedding of their aunt, the Duchess of Gloucester both little girls/ were bridesmaids—this was the first time that Princess Margaret had acted in this capacity r though Princess Elizabeth had carried the train of the Duchess of Kent when she married "Uncle George." At the birth of their first-born child her parents realised her nearness to the throne, so Princess Elizabeth's education has been moulded on lines that will fit her to undertake the responsibilities that one day may fall to her lot.

Self-confident Princesses She has been taught deportment from her earliest infancy, though at first she strongly objected to making her curtsy to Grandpa King," just as her Uncle David refused to bow gracefully to his great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Neither of the young Princesses suffers from that inherent shyness to which Queen Mary was a martyr in childhood. And for this both their mother and grandmother are thankful. Constitutional history forms part of the Princesses' lessons, and languages are also very important. Their instructors declare that they show promise of becoming excellent linguists. It was on Buckingham Palace, the London Royal residence, that Her Majesty Queen Mary first set her indelible touch, for it is here that for the greater part of the year the Royal Family resides. Further, it is the most frequented by officials dealing with affairs of State. Though the exterior may perhaps be criticised, the interior of the palace is magnificently modernised. The Day's Routine Breakfast at the Palace was invariably a cheerful meal in the days of the late King; and certainly it had to be always a punctual one. But, as the vears passed, marriage made gaps in the family, so that toward the end it had become a quiet "Darby and Joan d uet - ~ i.c ± Once it was over Queen Mary went to her private apartment. A touch on

the bell summoned the Lady-in-Wait-ing, who brought the morning' letters requiring the Queen's attention. A deep curtsy as she entered, then the business of the day began. Then came audiences with important people, or a Court official, to discuss with Her Majesty perhaps the details of some ceremonial arrangement. She was apprised of all the aLy's happenings. The afternoons were mostly given over to visiting. After the passing of Edward VII., that ancient Castle of the Scottish Kings, Holyrood (so long left to itself and the apathetic' attention of caretakers), provided a great game of "hunt the treasure." Treasures that were "lost" in former reigns were found after long searchings, when the great turn-out began under Queen Mary's skilful direction. Kensington Palace bears its own mark. So long was it the home of Victoria's childhood, so closely was it linked with her life, that no attempt was made to uproot its associations from her period. Rather has it been preserved as a token for all time. Windiior Castle was a favourite residence during her queenship. Her Majestv's unceasing work in the methodical "and tasteful arranging of the more than one thousand rooms it contains is only, too apparent. It will always remain?a memorial to her unremitting care and interest. Many o f those rooms were at one time known as "Old Curiosity Shops," because so many "bits" (valuable by their "period") were dumped in a room, where they glared at each other and "disagreed." ' , _ When in residence at Windsor Castle, the Royal Family usually gathered in

the Grand Corridor after breakfast to watch the Changing of the Guard and to listen to the band. The Royal children were of a lively disposition and it needed the united efforts of those in charge to keep order, but on Queen Mary's arrival, their childish excitement abated. Affectionately they would rush to her and bliow interest in what was taking place in the quadrangle below. The intricate passages and staircases were ideal for games of hide and seek. Many an evening the young Princes, with shouts of laughter, have scuttled up and down the* stairs and raced each other along the corridors, till Mr. Hansell marshalled them grimly to bed. One evening, after dinner in the drawing-room, the Honourable Katherine Villiers, Maid-of-Honour to Queen Mary, missed a pearl necklace which she very much prized. The Princes went down eagerly on all fours, helping her to find it. But to no purpose. At last, as they were retiring, the I)uke or Windsor said with a merry twinkle in his eye: "Never mind, don't worry; it is sure to turn up soon somewhere." It did. When Miss Villiers retired to her room, there was the pearl necklace carefully arranged on her pillow! Standing where the moors slope up toward tumbling hills, and small forests of ferns and undergrowth are broken by boulders and murmuring burns, is Balmoral, that most delightful of the King's homes. It has been left much as the Prince Consort designed it, with many turrets and long, narrow windows. Its Gothic ballroom and drawing-room, whose decorative schemo is so completely that of Victoria the Stately, has been left practically unaltered.

Simple Life at Balmoral At Balmoral the simple life was lived. Walks over the moors in the morning and long drives in the afternoon. It was usual at Balmoral for the King and Queen to dine with their guests and their Household-in-Waiting. At the end of jfche meal the King's Pipers entered the room and marched round the table to their own bagpipe music! deafening, but certainly exhilarating. Sandringham was above all the home most loved by King George. This was home indeed; modern, comfortable, and in a beautiful setting. At Sandringham ceremonial etiquette was lightened as much as possible. Here King George and his Consort walked in the grounds unattended by their Gentlemen and Ladies-in-Waiting; the cares of high office slipped from their shoulders. The Royal Norfolk estate is famed not only for splendid shooting, but also for delightful gardens and rhododendron rides. Next week will be the final instalment. THREE KINGS IN ONE YEAR