ROYAL CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 62

ROYAL CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

KING GEORGE AND QUEEN MARY SELECTING PRESENTS. When the third of our Georges accompanied his daughters on their Christmas shopping excursions, all who chanced to bo in the shops at the time of the Royal visit were requested to leave ; the doors were then closed against the public, and the Royal princesses were left undisturbed to ransack drawers and boxes at their pleasure in search of the pretty things they wished to buy for presents. In these later days, when our King and Queen are in quest of Christmas gifts, they no longer go a-shopping; the shops must come to them. Firms holding the Royal warrant —and these include many of the principal houses in Regent street and Bond street—are commanded to send large consignments of their ciioicest goods to Buckingham Palace, or wherever their Royalties may chance to be at the moment. At the time appointed articles are ready for the Royal inspection, displayed to their best advantage on tables in rooms assigned for the purpose, and courteous and discreet salesmen, usually members of the firm, are in attendance. It is a rule that all goods shall be marked in plain figures—the ordinary retail prices,—and every item must bear a label with the name of the firm.

When everything is ready, the King and Queen make a leisurely tour of inspection, selecting such articles as take their fancy. For her Majesty, among her favourite purchases are Irish lace and fine linen woven by peasant girls, filmy Shetland shawls, and lengths of homespun frieze and tweeds. Dainty novelties of the hour appeal strongly to her, and for gifts to Royal relatives there is a tempting array of jewellery, jewelled necklaces and pendants, brooches, and bangles. There are wonderful toys for the enildren, and a bewildering choice of silver-work, from mirrors and book-covers to sets of blouse buttons in silver and enamel.

For the King the wares displayed- are just as seductive and varied. One of his favourite presents is a silver motor car for cigars, and he has also a pronounced weakness for cigar and cigarette cases, sets of enamelled waistcoat buttons, jewelled pencil cases, tiepins, and patent matchboxes.

There is no need for hasty selection of the Royal purchases, for the articles remain at the Palace for several days, until the last leisurely nurchase is made, and the last name in the long lists of recipients, from ■ King to cottager, is satisfactorily ticked off.

The Royal princes and princesses find a greater pleasure in visiting the shops, and the more informal the visits are the more they enjoy them. For some weeks before Christmas they may be seen at their favourite shops in the West End of London, or at Windsor, choosing their gifts with much laughing and chattering, handing their money with gracious words over the counter, and often carrying their purchases home as simply and happily as any young people from Suburbia.