FOURTH LADY IN THE LAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 April 1926, Page 9

FOURTH LADY IN THE LAND.

Daughter to House of York NATIONWIDE INTEREST AROUSED. or Coble—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Received April 22, 7.20 p.m.) JjONDON, April 22. The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York’s baby aroused nationwide interest, partly owing to tho Duchess’s unspoilt personality, and parfly because the baby becomes the fourth lady in the land. Tho newspapers-point out that if iho Prince of Wales remains unmarried, and the Duke and Duchess of York are without a son, the baby may become Queen of England, for which reason it is suggested the baby should be named Elizabeth Victoria, or Mary. The news of the birth came too late for most of yesterday morning’s newspapers. It was sent to Australia and Now Zealand, while most of the Londoners were still in bed. Consequently business girls and men passed the residence at Bruton Street on their way to work, not knowing of -he event, but as the morning advanced, the news spread, and crowds gathered reinforced by an army of press photo-

graphers. Early visitors included Miss Pryke (daughter of the Lord Mayor of London) who arrived in a civic coach; intermingled in a procession of distinguished people, came later two Sisters of Mercy and the old nurse of the Ifuchess. Princess Mary arrived with a huge bunch of red carnations, supplementing a whole gardenful of flowers delivered in a few hours.

King and Queen Send Congratulations. The King and Queen were awakened between three and four yesterday morning, and told of the birth of them first grand-daughter. They promptly sent congratulations. Later in the day, they motored from Windsor. 'Hie crowd cheered heartily as they entered the house in Bruton Street, whore they remained half an hour and saw the baby. The baby, says the “Daily Telegraph,” is apparently below the average weight, but is strong and healthy. Empire Felicitations. Felicitations were received from all the world over, including Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, and various parts of East Africa recently visited by the Duke and Duchess. The accouchement was expected at the end of April, but it was realised on Tuesday that the event was nearer than had been imagined. The doctors were summoned late on Tuesday night, after which the Home Secretary was summoned, in accordance with the usual custom at births of the Royal Family. Sir George Blacker, who was called in for consultation, before the confinement, is at present obstetric physician at the University Hospital. Ho was formerly examiner in midwifery in- the Universities of London, Liverpool and New Zealand.. Sir Henry Simson, one of the signatories of the bulletin, .attended the Princess Mary on both occasions. THE ROYAL STATUS OP BABY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian end N.Z. Cable Asaociation. LONDON, April 21. Tlie Duchess of York’s baby was born at 2.40 a.m. at the z'esidence of tho Duchess’s parents. A society paragraph say s that when the King heard that the Duke and Duchess of York proposed, renting a West End house for the accouchement, owing to the inconvenience of doctors and relatives journeying between London and White Lodge, Richmond Park, His Majesty strongly disapproved, expressing a wish that the child, which might ascend the throne, should not be born in a hired house. Lord and Lady Strathmore immediately placed their towii house at tho disposal of the Duke and Duchess of York. The fact that the Home Secretary was summoned to Brunton Street when the Duchess of York’s baby was expected illustrates tho importance of the event from the point of view of the Home Office. The new Princess is the only child born to a son of the reigning sovereign, and her position can only be modified by issue of the Prince of Wales, or the birth of a. son to tho Duke and Duchess of York.