THE DUKE’S PROPOSAL

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 8

THE DUKE’S PROPOSAL

WEDDING IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY AFTER EASTER. FRIENDS SINCE CHILDHOOD. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, January 17. It is expected that the Duke of York's wedding will be in Westminster Abbey after Easter. The Earl of Strathmore, in an interview, said: “The Duke and Lady Elizabeth first met at a children’s party, when she was a girl of five and York a schoolboy. They have been friendly ever since. “The engagement did not take us altogether by surprise. The Prince spent the week-end at my house at Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The couple went for a walk on Sunday afternoon, and at the end of the walk we heard about the engagement. The Prince did not bring the ring in his pocket, but Lady Elizabeth understands that it will be sapphires.” “I AM SO HAPPY!” .

The Earl added: “I am also told that the Duke was not the least nervous when proposing; only in his usual good spirits.” Lady Elizabeth, when interviewed, said: “The Duke proposed just after tea on Sunday in the morning-room. We have been friends as long as we can remember, but it is all so recent, and I am so happy, I "‘don’t quite know what to say.” The Duke spent Tuesday morning with his fiancee, pernsing a huge pile of congratulations. The couple then motored to Buckingham Palace and lunched together. “RATHER A RAG!” lake the Duke, Lady Elizabeth is interested in work among the poor, and participates actively in the Girl Guide movement.

“Rather a rag, isn’t it, coming just after my reported engagement?” the Prince ,of Wales said.