THE ROYAL WEDDING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22744, 3 December 1935, Page 17

THE ROYAL WEDDING

WONDERFUL PRESENTS Magnificent, indeed, is the* array of wedding presents which have been most tastefully arranged in six galleries of St. James’s Palace (says our London correspondent, writing on November 9). Pride of place has been given to the splendid jewels and the imposing array of silver, all these gifts occupying the Throne room, which is not usually open, except on occasions of State, when the King holds a levee. This is the first time that the Throne room has been used to show wedding presents. The display is almost overwhelming, for the gifts number many more than 1000, while their arrangement and classification constitute a complete work of art. The jewels are the last to be seen, but they must be the first described. They are lavish and exquisite. Among those presented by the King and Queen to the bride are a pearl and diamond suite comprising a diamond collet necklace (56 collets) ; a large diamond scroll brooch (detachable cluster centre, with three drop-shaped diamond cluster drops); a five-stone diamond ring; a fancy diamond and pearl ring; a pair of diamond collet and pearl drop earrings; a large baroque pearl and oval diamond cluster brooch; a diamond ribbon bowtop brooch-pendant with diamond and pearl swinging ornament and a diamond and pearl cluster ornament containing a watch suspended from bow by a double diamond collet chain. An emerald, diamond and pearl suite comprising a cabochon emerald and diamond scroll brooch, with three diamond and emerald drops; two pearl and emerald bead necklaces with largo emerald drops; two diamond and emerald bracelets. Wonderfully matched and graded are the pearls which compose the necklet given by the late Duke of Buccleuch to his daughter shortly before his death. Among the gifts from her mother are diamond cluster earrings. Further, the Queen gave to the bride a diamond and turquoise suite, comprising a diamond and turquoise and gold bangle, a diamond and turquoise clusters and scrolls tiara, two diamond and turquoise bow brooches, a smaller diamond and turquoise bow brooch with diamond and turquoise tassel, two alternate diamond and turquoise collet, four-row chain bracelets with diamond wheat ear on turquoise background snaps, a turquoise and diamond cluster ring, a pair of turquoise and fancy cluster earrings, a necklace of 28 turquoise and diamond clusters; mahogany knee-hole writing table, with brass edging; an oval teapot, with bright engraved borders on flat base, with straight spout; George 111, 1790, by Henry Chawncr; a stand to match, 1801, by Andrew Fogelburg.

The Queen gave to the bridegroom eight-fold ’Chinese screen, with designs in gold on black lacquer; on the front side landscapes, with figures and dragon border, on the reverse trees and foliage. Also a pair, of wall lustres of waterfall type, fitted for electric light, and a large mahogany Chippendale bookcase. The Lork Mayor, the Bank of England, the Baltic, Lloyd’s, and other city banks combined in a magnificent necklace diamond present of particularly fine setting. The Prince of Wales and his brothers, the Duchess of York, the Earl of Harewood and the Princess Royal gave a diamond and emerald double clip brooch with a small pave-set diamondbase centre and a calibre-cut emerald and baton diamond bar above and below and with pointed ends, mounted in platinum. Interesting among other gifts is a silver cigarette-lighter with a card, in childish bandwriting, inscribed, “ From Lillibet and Margaret.” It is the gift of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose. A similar silver lighter is inscribed, “ To Uncle Harry,” and is from Viscount Lascelles and the Hon. Gerald Lascelles. Bridegroom to Bride. —An all-diamond brooch in the form of a knot, with a large centre brilliant and three row collet drops at the ends. An all-diamond tiara, formed by a band of leafage design and scrolls, and surmounted with a graduation of round and drop-shaped diamond collets. A diamond and platinum wide bandeau, with clusters of large diamonds and alter native centres, forming emerald and diamond brooches, and with detachable side pieces, forming clips. A pair of square emerald and diamond cluster ear-rings, mounted in platinum. Two flexible bracelets, set with alternate pearls and diamonds, and mounted in platinum. Bride to Bridegroom.—A platinum watch chain and a framed miniature of herself painted by Beatrice Wainwright (Mrs Roberts). TOKENS FROM MANY. Cut glass, lamps, leather ware and furniture, coloured linen with embroidered monogram and initials, make a great show, while some citizens of Northampton have given so generous a variety of shoes, riding boots and saddlery and everything to do with the hunt that both bride and bridegroom will be equipped for many a long day. Interesting are the gifts from institutions, including Barnardo’s Home for crippled boys and girls at Chailey and inmates of blind institutions, and disabled soldiers; they are all the inmates, and each piece is a perfect specimen of the craft, whether needlework, weaving, tooling or leather, pewter on leather, or basketware. The gift from the * boys Barnardo’s Homes is a table of their own workmanship from the technical school at Hertford. The crippled girls presented a linen afternoon cloth embroidered thistles. The Duke of Gloucester personally accepted the gifts, which came from the 8300 boys and girls in the homes. Colours of the linen gifts include silver-grey, buff, soft green and pale blue. In every instance the surface is as glossy as satin. Coloured honeycomb woven blankets are in nearly every colour of the rainbow. Quilts are many, and so are rugs. Attractive is a quilt of gold satin, reversed with gold erminette. One of the rugs on view has a history, for it was awarded a gold medal at the 1851 Exhibition and was handled by Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort. It is a shepherd’s plaid in black and white, and its duplicate is one of the homely presents. Novel and striking is the gift of General W. R. N. Madocks, who chose a beautiful case fitted with every tool that a forester or a carpenter could require—saws, hammers, axes and the like. Lord and Lady Bledisloe sent an opossum carriage rug. Officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, South African Naval Service, Royal Indian Navy, and members of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service are represented by a beautiful set of 12 Chippendale mahogang chairs, 17G0. The City of Edinburgh sent a pair of shallow Georgian bookcases. In close proximity to the imposing gifts of civic and other bodies all over

the country is a small cardboard box. It contains a pair of grey woollen socks and a card: “ From Granny M'Ewan.” It is a gift of a woman of 95, living at Glasgow. She has never seen the Duke, but said that she wished to send him a wedding gift. The Duke was so touched that he himself took the box over to St. James’s Palace, and asked for it to be prominently displayed. SOME SILVER PLATE. The King and Queen have been very lavish with their gift of plate, including the following:— A 26| inch oval tea tray with shaped gadroon and leaf border and with two fluted and leaf handles, on four leaf and rosette feet, a.d. 1815, by Paul Storr; engraved with the arms of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. A 13J inch circular chased waiter with shell and scroll border on three scroll and leaf feet; engraved with the, arms of the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William IV. A 10J inch round part-fluted twohandled soup toureen on round base with fluted band. The cover has a lion mask and leaf handle, a.d. 1820 by Phulip Rundell. A plated liner; engraved with the arms of George 111. A circular two-handled soup toureen resting on four feet, the cover surmounted by a crown on a cushion. Engraved with the cypher of King William IV and Queen Adelaide, and the Garter motto, 1836, by William Bellchambers. A circular part-fluted soup toureen engraved with the arms of George 111. A set of four plain oblong entree dishea and covers with French gadroon border, engraved with the arms of George 111. An interesting gift from the bride’s mother is a jewelled etui set in mother of pearl jewelled box. Each detail is of gold set with turquoises, and no doubt has been a family treasure for many years. Nowadays an etui set is rarely seen.