A MAID IN MAYFAIR

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1935, Page 14

A MAID IN MAYFAIR

LONDON TOWN GOSSIP PRINCESS INGRID’S BETROTHAL. LONG PERSISTING RUMOUR. (Special Correspondent.) London, Feb. 7. Although they refuse to he drawn, prominent Swedish folk in London suggest that, a betrothal between their own Princess Ingrid and the Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark would be very popular in both Scandinavian countries. The rumour that the young people are interested in each other has persisted for a long time. So much so, in fact, that the idea of a marriage between them in the future has been more or less accepted by those in high authority. At any rate they have made no categorical denial of it when the matter has been referred to. The fact that a denial has come from both the Swedish and the Danish Courts is thought to be due to the fact that Princess Ingrid was away from Stockholm .when the news leaked out, and that King Gustav himself wishes to make the public announcement. A similar denial was issued in this country after it had been suggested that the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina—as she was then—were bethrothed. But the King’s announcement followed almost immediately after it.

GIFT EVENING AT MOKAU. MR. AND MRS. WARREN MET. Prior to their marriage Miss Irene Pratt and Mr. Henry Warren were guests at a gift evening at Mokau in the hall arranged by Miss L. Somerville. Guests were present from all the surrounding districts. The couple received a large number of gifts. Items were contributed by Mrs. R. Scott (solo), Misses M. and E. Cowper (duet), Miss M. Pratt (song), Messrs. D. Rikihana and A. Ericksen (duet) and Misses M. Black, L. Gough and J. Opie (gymnastic dance). The music for dancing was played by Mrs. McNiece, Miss B. Sampson and Messrs. F. Northern, L. Bryant and D. Rikihana. Mr. G. Scott was master of ceremonies.

The Rev. J. Templer asked the guests of honour to accept the gifts, which were opened for inspection. Mr. Templer extended to them the good wishes of the district. Supper was provided by the .women of the district.

Princess Royal. King George’s daughter has evidently decided that she is sufficiently recovered now from her illnesses of last year to undertake a full programme of public engagements. She begins this month upon a list which would give a good many women in. public life seriously to think for most of them involve cross-country journeys from her home, Harewood House, to various parts of Yorkshire, and all of them mean meeting scores of new people. They are to be spread over the weeks before the celebration of the King’s Silver Jubilee begins, so that the Princess Royal is not likely to have much time to rest before she comes to London to take her share in the many big social functions connected with that important event. Fortunately the Princess is getting a certain amount of hunting just now, and she usually arranges her engagements in sets of three, giving herself a little time between each “set.”

Royal Economy. It is interesting to hear that, like many other brides the Duchess of York had her white satin wedding gown cut up and adapted for use at evening parties after her marriage. The secret of its disposal leaked out recently, when the authorities at the London Museum made inquiries as to whether it might be available in the future for exhibition there with that of the Queen and other Royal brides. The museum is also anxious to show the Princess Royal’s gown—these dresses and other exhibits which have associations with the Royal Family are of the greatest interest to American and Dominion visitors who come to London during the season—and it seems likely that their request in that direction may eventually be granted. The Princess still has her wedding dress, but is. anxious to keep it in her own possession as long as possible.

Prince’s Friendship. The fact that Lord Dudley is accompanying the Prince of Wales on a winter sports holiday in Austria, is a reminder of the great friendship which has existed between these two young men for a very long time. They have many hobbies in common, and many sports interests, but they possess, too, the same high ideals in regard to public welfare, and Lord Dudley is as concerned as is the Prince about the tremendous problem of unemployment in tills country. Apart from this, however, Lord Dudley and his brother-in-law, the Duke of Sutherland, have always been prominent members of what is known as the Prince’s set,” and their association with him as been closer than it ever was since Lord Dudley lost his wife in a tragic airplane accident a few years ago. Jubilee Functions.

Jubilee functions are likely to be so numerous that all the relatives of the King and Queen will probably be called upon to take their part in them. Lady May Abel Smith has begun already to accept public engagements, little as she likes the limelight. Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught have so> full a diary that they are finding it difficult to fit in fresh items which crop up, and Lady Maud Carnegie has a longer list than usual of “things to do.” Princess Alice is likely to be greatly in demand—she is so popular, and such charm of manner that she is a great favourite. Lady Cambridge, the Queen’s niece by marriage, will probably undertake duties in connection with charity functions, of which she has had a good deal of experience, and Princess Helena Victoria and Princess Marie Louise, who give up the greater part of their lives to helping philanthropic causes, will find this one of their busiest years. On a Visit.

Which is a reminder that that famous hostess of Edwardian days, Mrs. George Keppel, is in London just now on one of her periodical visits from Italy. She finds her circle of friends growing a little smaller each time she journeys back to England, one after the other of the beautiful and accomplished women who entertained King Edward and made up the group in the King’s set passing out as the years go by. Mrs. Keppel is always in great demand during her visits

to London. Her interest in social affairs over here never wanes, and she is not only a witty and brilliant conversationalist still, but an excellent listener, and the younger school of hostesses—which includes her clever daughter, Mrs. Roland Cubitt—delight in entertaining her. So, of course, do her contemporar-

ies, with whom she keeps constantly In touch from her lovely villa at Florence, and to whom these visits to England are in the nature of a very pleasant reunion.

The Duchess* Bonnet. It is delightful to see the Duchess of York wearing once again the little bon-net-shaped hat which frames her face so charmingly. It was her favourite style of headgear in the years immediately following her marriage, and was copied by every admiring girl all over the country. Tire Duchess has never departed very far from the design, so far as the close-fitting crown is concerned, but the brim has required modification from season to season in the last few years in order that the dictates of fashion might be complied with. This year, however, the “bonnet” Is back hi favour and the Duchess has promptly ordered one or two charming models in the soft velvets which suit her so well. Each is pulled on over her curly hair, tendrils of which are allowed to escape on to her forehead and over her ears.

Woman Producer. Ardent feminists are entitled to preen themselves a little over the fact that Dury Lane, London’s most famous if not its oldest playhouse, now has a woman producer. Miss Leontine Sagan, who directed both the stage and the film version of “Madschen in Uniform,” is producing the new Ivor Novelio play, “Glamorous Nights,” and is thereby making theatrical history. No woman has ever shouldered that task before at Drury Lane, where the work of producing a new play is an ordeal from which even some male producers have recoiled in alarm. But Miss Sagan was the producer also of “Murder in Mayfair,” the play which is still merrily tripping along at the Globe Theatre. It is rather bad luck that her first venture at Drury Lane should have encountered. trouble over the vexed question of Equity contracts. Strenuous Days. One well-known hostess is. already preparing for personal entertaining dur-

ing the strenuous days of the Silver Jubilee London Reason. Sh is Lady Crbmer, the wife of the Lord Chamberlain, who knows quite ■well that her husband will be able to make few, if any, engagements on his own account until the next five months are over. With his staff he is engaged just mow upon a series of elaborate plans and timetables, for, in addition to the royal Courts and the ordinary state engagements of the average season, Lord Cromer will be responsible for. the arrangements for all the ceremonial functions connected with the Jubilee. He has the reputation of being the most courteous and charming man connected officially with the Court, and the King and Queen have implicit faith in his judgment, as, indeed, they have reason to have when the work that he has done for the last twelve years in connection with the Court is remembered. Indian Trip.

Like most travellers who left England during the week-end for trips abroad, the Duchess of Northumberland and her two daughters, Lady Elizabeth and Lady Diana Percy, had a somewhat inauspicious start on their journey to India. But the thought of bad weather for a few days did not depress the trio, who

are looking forward tremendously to the East, the Duchess more particularly, because it will bring a re-union with her son, the young Duke of Northumberland, who has been away for over a year making a world tour. Lady Elizabeth and Lady Diana will miss the social gaieties for a month or two, but they expect to be back in time for May dances and coming-out parties, and for Lady Diana’s presentation at one of the late Royal Courts. Both girls were away with their mother during the early months of last year, the Duchess being a great believer in travel for young people. Visiting New York.

The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough haw gone off to the United States for a short visit, taking with them their son. the young Lord Blandford, and their two attractive little • daughters. Lady Sarah and Lady Caroline Spencer Churchill. They have had a strenuous time settling the affairs of the late duke’s estate and establishing themselves at Blenheim, where redecoration schemes have taken up a good deal of the Duchess’s leisure. They are looking forward to a rest and change before they settle down at the ducal country home, and begin to entertain. They have been

obliged to miss a good deal of hunting this season, but hope to make up for this next year. The Duchess of Marlborough will probably be presented “on the duke’s accession” at one of the later Courts at Buckingham Palace.

Wedding Gifts. The links of friendship which have been forged at different times by so many people with Queen Ena have never weakened since she went to live in almost complete retirement at Fpntainebleu after the revolution in Spain, and just now her elder daughter is being made to realise how deep is the affection which friends of her mother still hold for her. The Infanta is to be married in the middle of January, and among the wedding gifts which are pouring in upon her are beautiful souvenir* from British people. Before the trouble in Spain both the Spanish Princesses paid regular visits to London with their mother, and, after their coming-out, they were entertained for by such well known hostesses as Lady Londonderry, Mrs. Ronnie Greville, Lady Wimborne, Lady Howard de Walden, and many others of their set, and it is in this circle that the Infanta’s marriage, is being remembered and honoured by th* sending of gifts. z