PRINCESS ELIZABETH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 96, 24 April 1944, Page 5

PRINCESS ELIZABETH

NORMAL UPBRINGING MANY ANECDOTES RECOUNTED ON HER BIRTHDAY. London, April 21. Many anecdotes about Princess Elizabeth are now being presented on her 18th. birthday. She is greatly attached to her parents and Princess Margaret Rose. She is reported to have said recently: "Although we may have our own opinions, it is almost completely true that what mother thinks to-day I find out to-morrow is so right that I have to think so too." "Lilybet" is stated to be the Queen's pet name of the Princess, and last autumn the Queen said: “Both evening dresses Princess Elizabeth possesses are made out ot old dresses of mine.” The Princess adores her father, who is tremendously proud of her. There are no barriers between them. She has access to the King at all times, except when he is with Mr. Churchill or some important visitor. The King takes nearly all his exercise with Princess Elizabeth and latterly he discussed war and home affairs very thoroughly with her.

It is said (hat of all the politicians, the one Princess Elizabeth knows best is Mr. Churchill, and his particular vein of slightly grim humour appeals to her, as do his courtly manners. Not long ago the Quen found the pair with their heads bent over a large map spread out on the table, with the rather podgy finger ot Mr. Churchill Indicating to Princess Elizabeth the range of the Soviet attack. Lately the Duchess of Kent and the Princess hav f drawn very close to each other, and the former’s exceptional knowledge of Continental affairs and European Royalties is eagerly drawn on by Princess Elizabeth.

A "NORMAL CHILD.” One writer, commenting on the insistence by the King and Queen that the Princess must grow up as "a normal child,” states that whenever she went to a children’s party, other boisterous guests were encouraged to show her no particular favour. "The son of a friend ot mine,” he adds, “was one day found bumping her head on the nursery floor, and while evading royal kicks, pulling out tufts of curly hair." Princess Elizabeth has kept a voluminous diary for several years, which nobody is permitted to see. She has been taught by the Queen to know the value of money, being allowed £6O per annum. When she Is 17 her post office savings bank balanc was just over £34. She is a good dancer and is a radio fan, with a liking for “Itma." Her favourite colour is hyacinth blue and her favourite expletive, “My goodness." There are many comparisons in her upbringing with that of Queen Victoria and Tudor Elizabeth. PRESENTATION FROM REGIMENT Before a private luncheon party yesteraav which was th e main celebration of her birthday. Princess Elizabeth attended a guard changing ceremony by her own regiment, the Grenadier Guards. With the King and Queen, the Duke of Gloucester, the Princess Royal, Princess Margaret, Princess Elizabeth arrived at the parade ground wearing her famous peaked hat. She had a diamond brooch of lhe Grenadiers' badge pinned to the lapel of her light blue coat. Colonel John Prescott, commanding the Regiment, presented the Princess witli a birthday gift from the Grenadiers in the form ot a miniature , ot the King's Colour of the Ist. Battalion. In each corner of the colour, which measures 19 inches by 21, is the Princess' monogram, surmounted by her coronet, carried out in gold thread on a crimson silk background, with the crown embroidered In colours and gold thread. A group of American officers was among the guests who witnessed the ceremony.