Qneen Alexandra's Day.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 74

Qneen Alexandra's Day.

Her Majesty Queen Alexandra never so I thoroughly enjoys her life as she dees J when leading, so far ac may v?, the life 1 of a private lady at Sandriugham, her f a vouinte ho me . , Always an early riser, Queen Alexandra jjs up and about" soon, after 7 o'clock. <After a cup of tea or chocolate — the latter, a® a Tvk — ]>er Majesty -leaves her room, and commeixes her daily round. Xo matter what the state of the weather may be, she at once proceeds out of doors, and has a brisk walk. Breakfast, at Sandringham is partaken I of, when there are no guests staying in the -house, in a small, cheerful room over- ! looking the gardens, to which French windows lead. Upon her return home for her cup of tea — for Queen Alexandra is an ardent •devot*© of the "5 o'clock" — she will spend feome time with her private secrc ' tery, the Hon. Sidney Ur-eviiie. discussing various matters of business, eigning letters, -etc. ; while it is ajjjout this hour that her Majesty receives any other members of her Household who may be on duty a*t Sandringham. This is the time of day that Queen Alexandra enjoys bss-t of all, and when ehe writes most of her letters to her intamate friends. Her Majesty spends a considerable amount of time arranging and classifying her immense collection of photographs that she has taken from time to time, and of j which sha now possesses several thousands. Of the albums containing these photographs, the most interesting is the I one fhat contains snapshots of the various members of the Royal Family. Among these are photographs of Queen Victoria temporarily " held up " \n Iter donkeychadse through the animal refusing to budge an inch ; the Prince of Wales floundering in a ealmon stream, icto which an incautious step has plunged him while fishinig ; and- the King leading young -Prince Edward of Wales across the park by the ear as a punishment for 6ome •boyish prank of which his royal grandfather diid no*, approve. , Dinner at iSandringham is something of a movable feast. Raa-ely, however, is it served before 9 o'clock. As a general rule, when there are no guests present, their Majesties are joined by the ladies and gentlemen in attendance. Mueic in the . dxawinig room, follows, with a bridge table for the special-entertainment of the King. / Like most other members of the Royal Family, Queen Alexandra is an excellent musician, and plays the piano with very consideraiblo skill. Her Majesty retires for tbe night comparatively early ; and to this, together with her early, rising and her partiality f<xf a fruit diet, is due much of heir exceedingly good health.