Christmas At Palace Much More Cheerful.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18645, 26 December 1928, Page 3

Christmas At Palace Much More Cheerful.

IMPROVEMENT IN KING’S CONDITION GIVES CAUSE FOR REJOICING AMONG FAMILY

< United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, December 24. A bulletin issued at 8.45 p.m. states: “ The King’s progress is following a favourable, though slow course. The amount and quality of sleep is satisfactory. There is less disinclination to take nourishment.” To-night’s bulletin is regarded as one of the most remarkable ever issued since the King’s illness became grave. It indicates clearly and more definitely than those of the past two or three days that the illness is pursuing the course which the doctors hoped and anticipated. It supports the suggestion that there is every chance of his Majesty being definitely out of danger by Christmas Day. Palace officials emphasised to-night that his Majesty is doing as well as can be expected. References to sleep and nourishment are most satisfactory features, showing that his Majesty is beginning gradually to build up his strength by natural sleep and nourishment. The Duke of Gloucester reached Southampton at six in the morning, and left immediately by car for London, driving himself and travelling fast, despite a drizzle, as he was anxious to reach the Palace. The passengers report that the Duke was aloof early in the voyage, but was more cheerful when the bulletins improved, and joined in the ship’s social life. The Royal Family, united by the .ing’s illness, is spending Christmas at Buckingham Palace for the first time for ten years. The usual scale of festivities has naturally been abolished. Nevertheless, if the King’s improvement is maintained, there will be a simple family party on Christmas Day. It is a long time since there has been such a comprehensive family gathering in London. The luncheon party will include the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, Viscount Lascelles, Princess Mary, the Duke of Gloucester, Prince George, little Princess Elizabeth and Princess Mary’s two sons. The Queen ordered a Christmas tree from Sandringham specially for the pleasure of her young grandchildren. There will be an assembly of presents which members of the family have bought for each other, including those which will ultimately be given to the King.—Australian Press Association.

Christmas Day with the Royal Family is always just a quiet family occasion, and it is naturally quieter than usual this year. However, the King’s progress has made the Palace a happier place than it has been for many days. The Queen gave special orders concerning the comfort and entertaining of the servants. Parts .of the Palace were decorated with holly and mistletoe. The staff of the Palace is so much larger than at Sandringham that the time-honoured Christmas custom of assembling the servants in the morning and giving each a present had to be abandoned. The Queen, however, arranged for all the family’s old retainers to receive gifts. Royalties’ presents to each other are always a close secret. The most secret of all are Princess Elizabeth’s gifts to her parents, grandparents and ‘‘Uncle David.” His Majesty is naturally far too ill to participate in the festivities. It is understood ,the family visited the sickroom in twos and threes.—Australian Press Associaion—United Service. DUKE OF GLOUCESTER IS CAPABLE DRIVER. LONDON, December 24. The Duke of Gloucester is evidently a capable driver. He travelled over crowded and dreadfully greasy roads towards London, a distance of seventynine miles, in 140 minutes, thereby not only completing the family party at the Palace, but also completing the 17,800 miles jointly travelled by the three Princes during their homeward rush—the Prince of Wales from Dodoma, 6200 miles; the Duke of Gloucester from Sakania, 8000 miles; and Prince George from Bermuda, 3600 miles. The Prince of Wales to-day had his first outing with the hounds for the season. He stayed over night at Nottingham, hunted with the Quom and returned to London in the evening. A train was held up to enable him to catch it. He met the Duke of Gloucester for the first time since they parted in the African wilds.—Australian Press Association—United Service.

POPE REJOICES OVER KING’S IMPROVED HEALTH

FAMILY VISITED SICK ROOM IN TWOS AND THREES.

LONDON, December 24. The Pope, replying to the Cardinal’s Christmas message, said that the improvement in King George’s condition rejoiced him. “We trembled and prayed for the life of the Sovereign who graciously visited us, and whose Empire is the greatest in the world. Many millions of Catholics live and prosper within it, as the Eucharistic Congress in Australia proved. We trembled and prayed for the life of a Sovereign who has always showed himself well disposed and benevolent towards all these Catholics.”—Australian Press Association.

LONDON, December 25. The overnight bulletin is regarded as distinctly favourable. It is the first for some days noting any definite improvement in the King’s general condition.. Since the progress made is so satisfactory the physicians are able to suspend the ray treatment for a night or two. There is a distinct air of hopefulness in the Palace.