ROYALTY AND READING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21357, 10 June 1931, Page 10

ROYALTY AND READING

KING’S AND QUEEN’S TASTES

All the Royal Family are keen on reading; but the types of books which they read are many and varied. There are many who think that a king is bound to have high-brow taste in literature. But the shelves of King George's private library at Windsor are filled with stories of adventure, comedy, and romance (says a writer in Answers). Among others, the works of Rider Haggard and lan Hay figure prominently. The King is not at all fond of the ultramodern novel. He prefers Victorian writers, such as George Eliot, Dickens, and Trollope. Stories of those who, go down to the sea in ships appeal to him'greatly. Queen Mary is not a very heavy reader, for official and domestic duties take up much of her time. But she is fond of the writings of Thomas Hardy and Sir James Barrie. She also enjoys reading French and German works in the original, for she has a thorough understanding of both these languages. Biographies, the published letters of well-known people, and books on historical subjects are also of great interest to her.

The Prince of Wales has a liking for “ thrillers ” and detective novels. Much of the little time he has for relaxation is spent in reading such books, and also thrilling stories of adventure. On his travels he very often reads light, humorous literature, and, when he is at home, takes great interest in going through the huge volume of press cuttings about himself and his activities, which are carefully compiled by his secretaries.