Why American Women All Want to See the Queen

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

Why American Women All Want to See the Queen

[YXTiIY are sixty-five million American women crazy to catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth ? Why is it that the palatial hotels in Washington are not only bespoken to capacity for months to come, but that fantastic premiums up to five thousand dollars are offered for even the smallest single room during the forthcoming Royal visit ? Never since the American John Adams called on King George HI. at St. James' Palace to discuss the Independence of the United States of America, has there been such a tumult in America's 3,000,000 square miles. To-day Franklin D. Roosevelt governs over one hundred and thirty million of the world's richest people—and quite half of these are ■women 1 Everyone knows that mere merf haye but little interest in social affairs, and that is one reason why the women, more than the men, are so enthusiastic over the visit of Britain's Queen-Empress to America. "This will be the first time," as Mr. Neville Chamberlain impressed upon the House of Commons, "that our *

reigning King and Queen have set foot in the. land of the Great Democracy." And one might add, especially a Scottish Queen, bred from the celebrated House-of Glamis, complete with that ancestral ghost which so captures the imagination of the average American. Queen Elizabeth, in short, makes an I amazing ; appeal to*.', this, American "gynarchy" this • "woman - ruled" ; country. - ... I Bombarded With Questions At the moment the women of America are bombarding Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt with a most amazing collection of questions. Every mail brings delicate inquiries from Fifth Avenue and Miami matrons. The more daringtradesmen included—ask: "Will Queen Elizabeth bring her State Crown with her/ with the great diamond, the Indian Koh-i-Noor?" American jewellers are working overtime making magnificent necklaces, bracelets, even tiaras, for the many wealthy American women who hope—almost against hope—to sport a jewel or two 'when making a Royal curtsey. Many beautiful and many wealthy American women have made their curtsies at-Buckingham Palace, many have married "de brett." Even the Royal Family, by the marriage of H/R.H. the Duke of Windsor to the former Baltimore belle has strengthened the blood-ties between America and Great Britain. And all this is a vital point in the minds of American women. They love the splendour of purple and gold, the glitter of a . coronet. Precedence is a very important item in the education of the American society woman and they want to see something of the British Empire's "first lady." Hence another constant inquiry, "Will Mrs. Roosevelt have to curtsey to the Queen!" and equally distressing questions. Secret of the Queen's Appeal Apart, however, from natural interest ' in a historic event of unusual importance, what is the secret of the Queen's personal appeal to American women? To begin with, over sixty-five million of them hail her as a quick-witted and heroic help-mate who rose to her sudden and unexpected position with magnificent calm and even genius. The American press publish glowing pages telling of her simple country upbringing, f and of her life as Duchess of York, giving moral support and practical help to a nervous husband. They see her as a 1 woman whose influence has helped to fit her husband for the nerve-wracking job of King-Emperor of a great and mighty "Empire. They see her .as a mother, giving serious consideration to the Empire's future ruler. Princess Elizabeth. They dwell on her as'a practical housekeeper, alike in town and country, one of shrewd Scots raising, capable of installing clear-headed innovations of . her own, such as the use of a typei. writer for her personal correspondence.

By M.S.

And finally, American women realise how Her Majesty set herself to acquire that elegance and Parisian chic, which only last summer sot Franco aflame with enthusiasm. American editors show photographs of the Queen as Duchess of York, taken in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, side by side with pictures of a radiant Queen as she figured in those incrediblo and beautiful pageants during her visit to Paris. How came so magical a change to be wrought in so short a time? it is asked. The wives and daughters of Washington Senators and Congressmen discuss it continually, as well as the wives and daughters of men in the 48 other Senates and Legislatures in the various States.

The womenfolk of all these, from schoolgirls to grandmothers, hope fervidly to see Queen Elizabeth with their own inquiring eyes. Of course the thing cannot possibly be achieved, but the passionate desire is there all the same. So, "What will she wear?" America's women are debating this in their clubs and social gatherings, all the way from giddy Hollywood to staid Boston —a lino longer than that from Southampton to New York Bay. They speculate on the exquisite "new blue" tonings that are almost certain to figure in Queen Elizabeth's choice; on her white frocks, too, with inspired touches of black; on her flower-patterned summer modes and "herbaceous border" fabrics for garden-party and evening gowns. Mrs. Roosevelt as Hostess

For the Queen lias now become such (i world-leader in apparel, poise, and personality that she has the eyes of the world in general upon her, and during this visit the critical eyes of the American nation in particular. She must' show, the glamorous creatures of the United States that England, too, knows something about good dressing; and they recall her historic triumph in IFrance, the most fashion-conscious of all the nations. _ They talk of her colouring, her expressive play of features, and the magic of her smile — that same smile that made Ne>v Z*ealanders call her, "Our Smiling Duchess, only a few years ago. Mrs. Roosevelt herself, with her secretary, of Labour, Miss Frances Perkins, the<only feminine member of the President's Cabinet, must have long been feeling the full brunt of the national excitement. America's own "first lady" is on tip-toe with expectation like the rest of Americans. She hopes that she may get Queen Elizabeth to herself, if only for a. few fleeting hours, at the Roosevelt's country home up the Hudson River. And, you may ask, how will Mrs. Roosevelt dispose in the White House,

a retinuo of some forty persons who are to accompany Royal visitors? Is it any wonder if as hostess to the King and Queen and their imposing retinue, Mrs. Roosevelt may be experiencing gome "jittery" moments of her'own? She has been conferring often of late with Britain's Ambassador, Sir Ronald Lindsay, who is frequently to bo found hurrying back and forth in the Queen Mary to discuss matters with King George and Queen Elizabeth at long drawn-out luncheons at Buckingham Palace. Socially, if not politically, it will certainly be American women's redletter day when the Queen crosses the International Bridge from Canada to the United States. But before it dawns, Mrs. Roosevelt, most capable of women, will have finally settled all the details of that epoch-making visit. And Queen Elizabeth herself? Will she remember her impressions? I fancv they will bo as deeply-graven on her heart as the quiet motto was on the old Roman sundial,' "I record only the beautiful hours."