BARBER TO ROYALTY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11685, 24 November 1923, Page 12

BARBER TO ROYALTY

FIRBT TO SHAVE THE KIHC STILL WORKING AT EIGHTY. MANY NOTED CUSTOMERS. Mr Charles Hewlett, of Snettisham, six miles from Sandringham, who is 83, is probably not only the oldest working barber in England, but he claims to have shaved the chins and cut tha hair of more distinguished people than any other haiber. Whenever the Royal Family is in residence at Sandringham, Mr Howlettgoes there twice a week to attend to the requirements of members of the household. “I have had the honour, ’ he said, “of waiting on the King and other members of the Royal Family for ->o years, I have also attended King Haakon of Norway and the Crown Prince Olaf of Norway. I was the first to cut Princo Olaf’s hair. I was the fijet man to shave the King—in 1885— but he has grown a beard since 188!)." Mr Howlett showed a book containing dates on which he attended his Royal customers. “I first cut King Haakon’s hair in 1903," he said, “but ho was not then a King. I first cut Prince Olaf’s hair in 1908. I cut Princess Mary’s hair on January 9th, 1899, and I have done so several times since. “When I am wanted by a member of the Royal Family they write or send a telegram.” Mr Howlett pointed with pride to one telegram, dated March 21st. 1902, reading:—Wait on Prince to-day, 2 o’clock. _ „ ~ , “That is the Prince of Wales, he said, adding, “The King often chats with me when I go to Sandringham. ’’ “Three years ago I had a burglar in the house and he nearly killed me. After I had disarmed him of a huge reaping hook he got me on a couch and had his fingers round my throat trying to throttle me. “My wife came to my assistance and pulled the burglar’s coat round his throat, and nearly throttled him. “I told the King the story, and it made him laugh. Afterwards the King related the story to one of his equerries and ho got the equerry on the floor to show him how my wife tackled the burglar. “I have been in business 60 years, and been married 54 years. The other day I saw in a paper that another man claims to be 85 and still working as a barber, but probably he does not work six davs a week like I do. ■ “I work all day and every day, and do not eve n have a boy, 1 to put the lather on my customer’s chins. My ambition was to work for all the county people, and I have done it. “One day the King met me in tho road, craned over and shook hands with me. I drive to and from Sandringham in a pony and trap. I drove one ponv for 10 years and then sold it to the King.”