BRITISH HEIR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16377, 27 June 1927, Page 2

BRITISH HEIR

ROUGHS. PROTECT HIM DURING SLUM VISITS. POPULARITY CARRIES HIM ANYWHERE IN SAFETY. • / LONDON, May 28. The Prince of Wales has obtained for himself a freedom of movement greater than any heir to the British throne has ever before possessed. Three detectives from Scotland Yard are supposed to furnish the protection which the Prince’s night travels and slumming expeditions necessitate, but the Prince would not tolerate constant shadowing. The Prince pf Wales* has in reality a guard more effective than any Scotland Yard could furnish him. This guard consists of men of the underworld, and among their kind it is well understood that no Wne must harm or annoy the Prince, under penalty of considerably rougher treatment than the regularly constituted authorities would over mete out. A short time ago the Prince attended a boxing match at a London sporting club, a thoroughly reputable place* but situated close to a semi-slum district, and frequented by some undesirable elements on boxing nights. No leading member of the Royal family, in pre-war days, would have dreamed of visiting such a place; certainly not alone, but the Prince strolled in by himself, smoking a pipe and wearing a dinner jacket. During the matches lie talked to the strangers on each side of him, and afterwards these men asked him to have a drink. When lie declined and started to move away, they walked- along on each side of him and gave signs of being* troublesome.- An instant later, they were propelled a dozen, yards from the Prince, who smiled and went- out. When the two men emerged a little later, they were distinctly dishevelled, but much more conversant with Royal etiquette. The Prince knows that fliis guard' watches over him. though he has no idea of the identity of its members* Bis popularity in the underworld is

immense. The Prince has generously helped numbers of men who have gone wrong to go straight, by gifts of money, by investigation of their cases, and by personal intervention in their affairs. Many of these men go wrong again, but they remember the Prince gratefully, and help to make London safe for him. GOES WHERE HE PLEASES. The Prince has always gone wherever he pleased, perfectly fearlessly; to places where no duke’s son or millionaire’s son would dare go. When the King and Queen “ do ” the slums, their trip is preceded by. immense preparations. When the Prince goes to the West End, he simply goes there. Old-fashioned* people about the court are somewhat alarmed by this smashing of the barriers which hedge _ Royalty about. Edwardi always maintained this distinction Of class, even among his intimato friends. Sir Ernest Cassell and Lord Rothschild always addressed him as “Sir” or “Your Majesty”; neverseated themselves in his presence without an invitation, and always* kept, their faces’ to him in leaving his presence. It was exactly the same when Edward was Prince of Wales.. The present Prince does not maintain any such position. His friends style him “ Prince” and they do not hack out Of Ins presence. Hp has broken down many of the social barriers about Royalty by insisting that ho be treated as a friend by his friends. And* despite this democracy, the Prince has never been placed in a position derogatory to his rank.