JAPANESE PRINCESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 370, 13 September 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

JAPANESE PRINCESS

SCARLET AND GOLD CARRIAGE. Work in city offices ceased, and the roar of the traffic was hushed while crowds on the pavements, and the girl clerks and typistes at the windows

cheered a lovely Princess from Japan, who at once won all their hearts (says the “Daily Mail”). She was driving with her husband, Prince Takamatsu, to whom she was married not long ago. Their scarlet and gold carriage was escorted by Life Guards. The Prince and his bride were on their way to the Mansion House, where they were entertained by the Lord Mayor at luncheon recently. The pageantry of the Life Guards and the brilliancy of the uniformed postillions provided, a gorgeous spectacle for the city in its luncheon hour, but all eyes were on the Princess. She smiled shyly and charmingly from beneath a dainty, wide-brimmed hat in response to cheers of welcome. This, as well as her gossamer dress, was of the colour of cherry blossom, one of the glories of Japan. At the Mansion House everyone was in levee dress. The heavy gold plate of the city, brought irom the vaults, with masses of gay flowers, formed a gorgeous setting for the distinguished company. On their return from the Mansion House great crowds again lined the route of the royal visitors. The Lord Mayor, Sir William Waterlow, proposing the Prince’s health at luncheon, said: “In the realm of sport, I know some of your countrymen are among the finest lawn tennis players, and I am told that Rugby football has become most popular in Japan, and that in other directions the Japanese are keen sportsmen, and succeed in most things they undertake.” Prince Takamatsu, in reply, said: “We have already been captivated by the charms of tho English countryside, and profoundly impressed by the old, but ever new, City of London, with marks of youthful vigour and progress evident on all sides. Our lives will be made richer for having been in your wonderful city.” Before leaving the city the Prince conferred upon the Lord Mayor the Collar of the Rising Sun and upon the Sheriffs the Order of the Sacred Treasure.