Empire-Wide Interest In The Child Who May Rule Us

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 10

Empire-Wide Interest In The Child Who May Rule Us

pb'OHAIU.V the most self-possessed person in the British Empire, in 'the lace of the chance that has placed a 10-year-old girl next in line for the I Throne, is the little Princess Alexandra Mary, herself. I For, 10-goiiig-on-11, the Princess !Elizabeth has always accepted hei [Royal position with calm and has faced the white light of relentless I publicity with aplomb. I When she wears a new stylo or colour of dress, British mothers rush to the stores to deck their children out lin similar clothes. The flood of chocolates and china, hospital wards 'and handbags, dresses and dolls, named after the princess is already becoming a deluge. Iter mail litis always been heavy, especially at her birthday time (April :.'! ) and at holiday seasons. It has required extra post olliee clerks and a special maid to handle, and has in recent weeks become a cloudburst. Raared To Be Queen.

■ If there was a single home in the British Isles which did not display a ! picture of the princess before her father's accession to the Throne, the 'deficiency was probably remedied as 'soon as possible. : Her first tooth, her first stragglings with baby speech, her first intelligible word, her first pony, her Jirst party 'dress of while chiffon over pink satin, her toys, her playthings, her 'dogs, her nursery, her clothes since [she began "growing up," all these things have been relayed to an avid public since that day of her birth 10 'years ago. J Princess Elizabeth has been reared from the very moment of her birth las a potential reigning queen. Had her succession been certain, no step in ihor upbringing would have been dif-

Iferent. From that birth moment, the white ligiit of publicity lias played constantly about the fair golden hair of the princess. Therein she is different from her illustrious namesake Queen 'Elizabeth, and even from the great Queen \ ictoria. Nobody thought they were going to be queens, and then childhood was quite obscure. On the day of her christening, Princess Elizabeth was carried out on a balcony for adoring crowds to see. Binee then, whenever she was staying at the King's London house at 140 I iccadilly, she has been shown to the public daily. Accustomed to Position.

Hence the little princess prooably "took in her stride" the momentous event which brought her one slop nearer the Throne. Her nnooi -.landing of her l.'oyal position is clear. Servants have always bowed in her presence, and visitors to her parents' Home have always made a point to ••ourtsey or bow when she entered the room.

The days when she was a golden'mired bnby, and lisped her own name into " l.illibe.t," are gone. When ■me appeared as a bridesmaid tit tlnweddiag of the Duke of Kent, onlookers were amazed at her mature appearance. Tall for her age, Princess Elizabeth was not easily picked out from the adult bridesmaids.

The days are past when Queen .Mary greeted the toddling giri as 1" bambina," and when Edward, the former king, jocosely met her with a casual "Hello, Queen Elizabeth."

Was there prophecy in his careless words? Whether there was or not, the educational regime, the ceremonials and the watchful <;nre with which she is always guarded, all these will be intensified now that the Princess Elizabeth is direct Heir to the Thjfone.