HEIR EXPECTED.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20270, 24 March 1938, Page 6

HEIR EXPECTED.

DUCHESS OF NORFOLK

CELEBRATIONS PLANNED.

When, iu April, the lovely young Duchess of Norfolk, wife of England's

premier duke, gives birth to her first child, everyone at the 800-year-old historic, battlemeiited Arundel Castle wui pray that it will be a son to carry this famous and ancient line.

The presont Duke of Norfolk was born in Arundel Castle 29 years ago, and the townsfolk are excited at the announcement of the coming event. It is just a year ago that the duke married Miss Lavinia Strutt, daughter of Lord Belper, and brought her, amid village rojoicing, to this beautiful and stately home.

"I believe the duke was the lirst heir to be born in the castle," said Dr. G. W. Eustace, the family doctor. "I remember the intense excitement at the time. As soon as the baby was born I gave the word for the town bell to be rung. Flags were hoisted and people thronged to read the bulletins that I posted outside the castle every day." "Workmen now decorating the first floor apartments are also preparing a large nursery on the ground floor. Tins is some distance from the duke's old. nursery, which is situated on the first floor in the centre of the castle Festivities Planned.

How the villagers will celebrate this important event has not yet been decided, but those who remember the lavish display of fireworks at the duke's birth, and the old English ale which flowed freely in all the village inns at his wedding last year, are looking forward to similar festivities in the spring.

"The wedding were lovely," one old man said. "You could go into the pub and ask for as many beers as you liked! I well remember the birth of the duke and the wooden cradle which was used at the time, but it is unlikely to be used again. The duchess, she be awful fond of modern furniture."

There are many on the estate, however, who believe the duke will w.'sh to erect a more lasting memorial than just fireworks, and they will think that it may take the form of some special benefit for the villages of Arrmdel.

But no official declaration has yet been made, and for the time being the lovely old castle on the hill guards its secret while the large "family" at its feet seethes with excitement.