PRINCE OF WALES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20875, 15 November 1929, Page 10

PRINCE OF WALES.

A NEW "BIOGRAPHY. STORIES OF HIS YOUTH. OUTLOOK ON MARRIAGE. (From: Ouk Own Correspondent.) LONDON, September 26. Two you ax journalists (Messrs W. and Li Townsend) have written a biography of the Prince of Wales. The publishers (Marriott) state that the manuscript was read by Sir Godfrey Thomas, the Prince’s private secretary. If it does not contain any “revelations,” that is, as the authors truly say, “because there ie nothing sensational to write about the Prince of Wales.” The book is a straightforward narrative, interspersed with, anecdotes to illustrate the Prince’s personality. The authors restrict their comments, and thus avoid most of the perils that beset the biographies of royalty. The Prince’s happy childhood is well described. Queen Victoria made much of her eldest great-grandson, and bad a special nursery installed for him at Buckingham Palace. “ David ” —the pet name which his mother always used for him—soon grew into a high-spirited and mischievous boy, who led his brother and sister in their nursery escapades. One _ favourite trip of “David” and ■ Bertie ” was to strut from their beds on the occasion of a ball being held by their royal parents, and, loaded with wet sponges from the bathroom, creep along the gallery that circled the ballroom and drop these wet sponges on the sitting-out couples and then scamper back to bed, well satisfied with their evening’s work. It was “David” who. on his bicycle, played “Follow-my-lcader " among the flower beds at Sandringham—not to the advantage of the flowers. It was “ David ” who once hid the equerry's helmet _ when the Duke and Duchess were setting out for a drive. In 1960 the late Czar visited Osborne College. The Prince acted as hie guide, and at the end led him to the tuck shop. Here the Czar was introduced to all the particular friends of “ Edward of Wales,” who had been carefully instructed to be . there, as the Cadet-Prince shrewdly surmised that his Imperial kinsman would most certainly “ stain treat.” In this he was not disappointed, and an hour later some half a dozen cadets, including "Edward of Wales,” strolled back to the college with satisfied grins on their faces, while the Czar returned to the Czarina complaining bitterly of indigestion. PARTNER AT A DANCE.

An incident at Panama u recalled: “ During the evening it was noticed that the Prince chose as his partner a very pretty girl whose dancing greatly pleased him. A£ter a time- the unrest amongst the more important feminine guests communicated itself to the Prince’s staff, who were informed that the chosen partner of H.R.H. was but an assistant in a drug store. It. was also hinted that ladies more important socially were awaiting the honour of a dance with the Prince.

Tactfully, the matter was broached with the Prince. . , . His reply to the veiled reproach was typical: “An assistant in a drug store,” he' said. “ Well, it must be a jolly good drug store! ” Afterwards he fulfilled his “ duty dances" and returned once more ito the partner of his choice.” At Qsb orne “on one occasion during a conversation Prince Edward referred to ‘my grandfather, the King,' and because it was considered a violation of the point of honour connected with the Prince's presence at the school one boy took exception to the reference. High words followed, and the Prince, losing his temper for once, invited his opponent to . fight. The Cadet-Prince put ,up a very good show indeed. The fight took place in the dormitory in which the Prince slept, and a place was quickly cleared where the combatants could have perfect freedom. The fight lasted nearly half an hour, and it is difficult to say who would eventually have taken the count, because the officer on duty, hearing of the affair, promptly put a stop to it.” VIEWS ON MARRIAGE. There is also in the hook a discussion on the views the Prince holds with regard to marriage. The biographers say: “The Prince is reported to keep an album full of cuttings containing reports of his various impending ‘engagements’ which he shows to the favoured few whom he entertains. “It is not easy to define his Royal Highness’s outlook on marriage. “It is certain that he regards the sanctity of marriage so seriously that he wilt not be thrust into a marraige of convenience. “The .Prince has no doubt inherited from his father a preference for the company of men. King George is always at ease and. very happy with his male friends, though he can he a charming companion to ladies. “Retaining the best of the so-called old-fashioned beliefs in his creci of modernity, the Prince is a firm disciple of the belief that there is no use in. marrying without love. Because he has not yet experienced that emotion in its true intensity the Prince docs not get married. That is all there is to it. “The Prince of Wales at 35 years of age is still a bachelor. It is interesting to note, the marrying ages of heirs-ap-parent in the past. His father George v was 28, Edward VII was 22, William IV was 53, and George IV was 33. “His only sister. Princess Mary, is never tired of telling her favourite brother ‘David’''that he needs a woman to ‘ look after him.’ ”. BUSINESSLIKE AND METHODICAL. Of the Prince’s private life the authors tell us something. The Prince is businesslike and methodical. The Prince, when at home, commences work promptly on the stroke of 10 a.m. The rooms on .the ground floor of York House have been turned into a suite of offices, where work the Prince’s staff. Tho Prince himself has a remarkably large amount of clerical work to perform. His mail, which is, as with all royalty, very large, receives immediate attention each morning, necessitating the personal attention of the Prince and Jits private secretary. His Royal Highness keeps a strict eye upon the expenses of his household, and this entails frequent audiences with his Comptroller, who attends to-the financial side of the Prince’s affairs, Tho staircase loading to the first floor of his residence is broad and intricately carved, and forms a marked change from the stiff, modern apartments of the ground floor. On the first floor, where the Prince has his living rooms, there is a most cosy atmosphere, for here is the scene of the Prince’s private life, where he can sit at ease in his own armchair, reading his book or paper, and enjoying a quiet hour free from the strain of his many functions. There is nothing spectacular about the Prince’s life at York House; it is quiet, simple, and homely. Quite a large portion of the Prince’s spare time is spent in carefully perusing the newspapers. for, although the Prince holds no brief for scandals, gossip or sensational news, it is imperative that he should keep a Knarp oye on the nationnl 'events, economic situations, political crisis, and so forth, in order that he can better on lus work.