THE PRINCE AND THE LADY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16360, 24 February 1921, Page 7

THE PRINCE AND THE LADY.

PERSISTENT LONDON REPORT. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. The following story, which sounds like one of the royal romances dear to the hearts of republican America, appeared recently in the “ New York Herald,” in the form of a message from, that journal’s London correspondent : With the denial of reports that the Prince of Wales intended marrying Princess Margaret there is renewed gossip in London that the heir to the British throne is desperately in love with his sister’s maid of honour. Lady Joan Mulholland—an Irish girl —and insists that he will marry her The young woman is a commoner, and there is a Parliamentary Act in the way, but the Prince has regained his smile lately, mid there is reason to believe that; it will broaden rather than fade over the great question as to who is to be the next Queen of England. The rumour about his marrying Princess Margaret has been shattered for many reasons. In the first place (states the London correspondent of the “ New York Herald it is pointed out that they are and consanguinity forbids a marriage between them/ But what is considered even more important is the fact that they are both in love, although not with each other- The Princess is reported to have her own affair of the heart in Norway, which may account for her parents leaving her behind in England. FELL IN LOVE LIKE DEMOCRAT. On tho other* hand, the debonair young Prince, whoso smilo won America, is reported to have done the very human and democratic thing of falling in love with a girl he met in the street, it all started just as it might have in tho case of any ordinary young man when he ran into her casually while she was shopping in Bond Street withi Princess Mary. And it is also said 'that the Prince already has gone to Downing Street and has asserted himself just like the ordinary youth who braves the frown of his loved one’s father. It is reported 'that he told Lloyd George plainly that if he could not marry the girl ho loved with political assent, he would renounce his right to tlie throne altogether. Old World royalty circles aro now abuzz over this now shock to its historic precepts. But royalty her© does not fool the same way about it. and certainly the English people are pleased over these reports. There have been many such rumours and numerous names have been mentioned, but none with a foundation such as this one. During the absence of the Prince of Wales in Canada, Princess Mary had two maids of honour, one being Lady Joan, a descendant of the Ulster Barons of Dunleith, and on ber mother's side connected with the Earls of Strafford, the fighting Byzigs. Soon after his return fdom Canada the Prince, walking in Bond Street, encountered his sister, accompanied by 'this maid, who was introduced to him. According to all accounts, it was a case of love at first sight, and many of the Prince’s spare evenings were passed in Buckingham Palace in the company of his sister and her beautiful companion. At Sandringham ft was noticed that the pair were going golfing and shooting together. No party to which the Prince was invited was considered Complete unless Lady Joan f.lso was present. So things moved along until the Prince left for Australia. But absence only seemed to make the heart grow fonder, and on liis return from the Antipodes the Prince was reoorted to have announced that he liad decided something must be done. Already he had told his friends that he was * not going to marry any of those “ stuffy M ithin a week after his return the Prince called on the Premier, M r Lloyd George- and told him how matters stood What the Premier thought about it has not been disclosed, but it was noticed that in the last week in October all the leading newspapers here suggested the repeal of the Royal Marriage Act, and it was openly stated that the Prince might want to marry a common er. Also the Press unanimously pointed out what a fine thing it would be for England if the Prince would marry one of his own people—one he really loved. So general! v was this done that many persons felt that the idea was inspired, and the suggestion met with popular approval. Everybody in England loves tlie Prin e of Wales, and thinks it would be just the proper democratic thing for him to do to marry a girl at home instead of looking around among the uncertain royal families on the Continent for someone who would be a fit wife for er our young man.” It was reported also that the Prince told his family of his decision. His father was said to have readily agreed, although it is understood that the opposition of Queen Mary was not easily overcome. Tlie Royal Marriage Act was passed in 1772 at the direct request of George 111. as a result of the morganatic marriage of the Dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester. Fox entirely disapproved of the Act. and retired, as lie said he would. He he*ld it would prevent royal princes from marrying altogether. Tt did not have this effect, however, but it did cause almost all English princes to marry Germans. The Prince of Wales loves to bo among bis people, and considers himself one of them. Once at a dance in Melbourne liis partner asked him what he did on evenings at home. “ Father reads, mother and Mary sew, and when they go to bed George and T go out to see the people,” he said. There has been much talk about his prospective wife. Once it was reported that he was going to marry one of the three daughters of the Duke of Hamilton. At another time it was the daughter of a Norfolk clergyman. While on his tour of Canada and Australia, and even America, there were brought out the usual crops of reports, but none gained such prominence and persistence as this one concerning Lady Joan. Lady Joan is not only extremely beautiful. but is an exceptionally accomplished girl. She is a superb skater, a charming dancer mid a good rider to hounds.