ECONOMIES AT BALMORAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19138, 6 October 1936, Page 11

ECONOMIES AT BALMORAL

KING IN RESIDENCE REDUCTION OF RETINUE LONDON, Sept. 20. Saying, “The best rooms must ho kept for guests, ” King Edward astonished tho household staff of Balmoral Castle by selecting a small bedroom near the pantry and overlooking the poppy beds. 'Phis room was previously occupied by the senior servant. King George’s former bedroom had been prepared for King Edward’s use, but on arrival at the Castle, he decided (liat. it should ho left empty. The King lias instituted many oilier changes and economies which are not, however, interfering with his happy and energetic Highland holiday. The innovations are consistent with the King’s policy of refusing to adhere slavishly to tradition. He first showed this when he reorganised Buckingham Palace household, replacing old officials With younger men.

King Edward soon had Balmoral plumbers and electricians at work fitting hells in the. new bedroom and a hath in The adjoining room. Formerly there were three canteens on Die Balmoral estate —one in the stables, Which sold beer only and two in the castle back premises. At the King’s order, two were closed. There is now only one canteen. and it. is situated in the stewards’ quarters. Onlv St Royal household servants travelled to Balmoral—a little more than half of King George’s usual staff. The chief reason for this economy is that King Edward has not brought the carriages and Royal Grevs.

Hitherto there have been -10 grooms and coachmen attending the Balmoral stables, which now contain only a few ponies for the hills. Balmoral, like the other great northern estates, has its Highlanders working the estate. Hitherto, they lined Balmoral Avenue on the King’s arrival. King Edward has now given instructions that they are not to gather. Six Balmoral pipers who have been newly outfitted in the Balmoral tartan, replacing the Royal Stuart, normally pipe guests into dinner at 7.80 p.m. On the first (lay, the King asked them to appear at 5.30 for rehearsal, when he took a hand at the pipes and instructed them what airs to play.