ROYAL BETROTHAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1923, Page 5

ROYAL BETROTHAL.

AN EARLY MARRIAGE. HOW THE DUKE PROPOSED. “JUST AFTER TEA.’’ By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Jan. 17. It is expected the Duke of York’s wedding will take place at Westminster Abbey after Easter. The Earl of Strathmore, interviewed, said the Duke and Lady Elisabeth first met at a children’s party when she was a girl of five and the Duke of York a school boy. They had been friendly ever since. “The engagement did not altogether take us by surprise. The Prince spent a week-end at my house at Welwyn, Hertfordshire, and the couple went for a walk on the Sunday afternoon. At the end of the walk we heard abiut the engagement. The prince did not bring a ring in hfc pocket, but Lady Elisabeth understands it will be sapphires.”

The Earl added: “I am also told the Duke was not the least bit nervous when proposing, only in his usual good spirits.” The Duke spent Tuesday morning with his fiancee perusing a huge pile of congratulations. The couple then motored to Buckingham Palace and lunched together. Like the Duke, Lady Elisabeth is interested in work among the poor. Shp participates actively in the Girl Guide movement.

“Rather a rag, isn’t it, coming just after my reported engagement to the Prince of Wales?” said Lady Elisabeth when interviewed. “The Duke proposed 'just after tea on Sunday in a morning room. We had been friends as long as I can remember, but this is all so recent and I am so happy that I don't quite know what to say.”