ROYAL MEETING IN PARIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23685, 17 December 1938, Page 23

ROYAL MEETING IN PARIS

DUKE OF WINDSOR STILL " NEWS " HIS NEW HOUSE SURROUNDED NO PRIVACY FOR HIM / LONDON, Nov. 14.: Many months ago, the Duke of Windsor expressed a wish to be left alone, as he desired to live the life of a private citizen. Of course, newspapers and press photographers have paid no heed to his wishes; they have continuously followed him on his Continental round. "The Gloucesters meet the Windsors " was the wording on posters and at heads of newspaper columns two days ago, when the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in Paris and met the Duke and Duchess f Windsorit was the first meeting of the royal brothers since the abdication. The latter couple wanted to show the travellers their new house in the Boulevard Suchet, near the Bois de Boulogne, but when they arrived there they found the house surrounded by newspaper men and photographers, so they decided not to stop. And the waiting crowds wondered why they drove past! The royal brothers and their wives took tea with Baron Edouard d» Rothschild, and they dined at a restaurant in the Rue Royale. Then, of course, the statement immediately appeared that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were soon to come back to England, and were to live at Fort Belvedere. It is amazing how much more others know about your private affairs than you know yourself. On reliable authority it is learned that there is no question at the moment of any statement being made regarding a possible return to England of. the Duke and Duchess of Windsor: BACK FROM KENYA

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester stayed one night in Paris on their return from their visit to East Africa. From Marseilles they were then flown to Paris in a special plane piloted by Wing-commander E. H. Fielden, the captain of the King's flight. On their arrival at the Le Bourget airport, near Paris, they were met oy Sir Godfrey Thomas, the British Ambassador and Lady Phipps, Group-captain D. Collyer (British Air Attache), Commander Girardot (in command of Le Bourget airport) and Colonel Guy La Chambre (French Air Minister). They drove froni Le Bourget into Paris by a roundabout route to avoid the crowds. On meeting, the brothers shook hands, and the Duke of Windsor slapped his brother affectionately on the shoulder and exclaimed, "So glad to see you again, old man." The Duchesses, all smiles, kissed each other, and the four went up to the Duke of Windsor's apartment. Next day the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester came on by air to Hendon by the Duke of Windsor's private plane, and on landing they found the Duke's Aberdeen terrier. Dougal, present to greet them. QUEEN MARY'S HURRY The next item of publicity circulated was that within 20 minutes of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester's return to London Queen Mary hastened by car to York House to meet them. She stayed for 55 minutes, and heard from the Duke the result of his meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. It is understood that the royal brothers discussed the Duke of Windsor's future plans, including an eventual return to England, but that nothing was decided definitely. THE DUKE'S QUESTIONS In Paris, writes the Daily Mail correspondent, there began an hour's talk which may make English history. The brothers, sitting facing each other in green armchairs on either side of a large writing table, discussed the future. The Duke of Windsor fired question after question about events in England since his departure. He assured his brother how keenly he had desired to serve the British nation during the recent crisis and how anxious he has always been to keepi in touch with the life and, spirit of his country. "There was no doubt but that the Duke of Windsor was delighted at teeing his brother again and being able to discuss with him the details of his own possible future journey back to England to see his mother, Queen Mary, and other members of the Royal Family. It is expected here that the visit will be in time for the Christmas festivities at Sandringham. "I have never seen the Duke of Windsor looking so serious and at the same time so happy. I know how cordial was the greeting between the two brothers; I knbw how eagerly they talked during luncheon at the hotel and a drive through Paris which followed."