PROTECTOR OF KINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18952, 28 August 1923, Page 10

PROTECTOR OF KINGS.

DEATH OP MOST DECORATED POLICE OFFICER. M. Xavier Paoli, who watched over so many kings - and princes when in France, and was the most decorated police officer in the world, .died in July, in his ninety-first year* For 25 years M, Paoli was entrusted by the French Government with safeguarding visiting Sovereigns. . Christened the “Protector of Sovereigns by King Leopold of the Belgians, Paoli was discovered by Queen Victoria in 1887 when she was staying at Aix-lea-Bains. Thereafter she refused to cross French territory unless ho was in attendance, and always referred to him as “co bon Paoli.” A man of medium height, rigidly erect, and looking not more than 60 when he was nearly 77, Paoli retired in, 1909. At that time his flat in Peris'was a museum of gifts from emperors and empresses, kings and princes—gemstudded cigarette cases, gold scarf pins, decorations in diamonds, each with its history. Queen Victoria was so fond of him that ehe gave him a place among the princes and distinguished envoys at her Jubilee. Her affection was equalled by that of King Edward." When the life of King Edward (then Prince, of Wales) was attempted by Sipido at the Giro du Nord, Brussels, in 1899, he exclaimed: “Had only PaoH been there, it would.never have happened.”