A PROUD WOMAN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 699, 8 May 1916, Page 4

A PROUD WOMAN.

Perhaps the proudest woman in the Empire to-day is Lady Haig, the. wife of Sir Douglas Haig, who has succeeded Sir John French in the command of the British Army in France and in Flanders. "Lucky Haig" is the sobriquet by which the new commander-in-chief is known in the Army, and, indeed, Sir Douglas Haig has been as lucky in love as in war. His marriage was quite a romance, in which no less a personage than Queeii Alexandra played the part of the benevolent fairy. It was at an Ascot party at Windsor that he met his future bride, the Hon. Dorothy Vivian, (he daughter of the third Lord Vivian. She and her twin sister Violet were maids of honour to Queen Alexandra at the time, and the Queen took the greatest interest, in the two beautiful girls. And so it happened that, the Hon. Dorothy Vivian was on duty at court during that Ascot week in 1905 when Sir Douglas Haig was a guest at. Windsor Castle, lie was attracted to the pretty, girl at once, and the attraction was mutual. It was a case of love at first sight. They became engaged in four days. Queen Alexandra, whom the young couple took into (heir confidence, was delighted at the pretty romance. And so Sir Douglas and his bride were honoured by a very special distinction, for the wedding, which took place a month later, was celebrated in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace, and King Howard and Queen Alexandra, gave the wedding breakfast. Lady Haig is a great favourite with

Queen Mary also, and is much seen with her Majesty at Aldershot, on the occasion of the Queen's frequent visits there. She has two dear little daughters, who attracted great attention as Bed Cross helpers at a recent, charity fete. The wife of our commander-in-chief is an enthusiastic war-worker, and does a great deal of good in a quiet, unobtrusive! way. Lady 11 aig is a linn believer in her husband's luck, for he is the descendant of a famous Scottish clan of lighting men. of whom one Thomas "the Rhymer" prophesied nearly 000 years ago: — Betide what may betide, Ilaitf shall be HaifS of Hemersyde. This prophecy has been fulfilled, inasmuch as the land and barony of Haig have been in unbroken lineal possession of the family for over six centuries. So everyone is unanimous in prophesying that this brave general will win through in the big task that he has taken up, for he is one of the military commanders who has met with great success during the present war'.