King Has No Rest- Even On Sundays

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1948, Page 5

King Has No RestEven On Sundays

LONDON. Nov. 26—The King works from early morning until evening every day. That, says the Daily Telegraph, is why he is ill. An outline of the King’s day is:— 8 a.m.—Breakfast. He has already read the morning newspapers and opened a good deal of his mail.

9.15 a.m.—He sends for his private secretary and deals with State papers for more than an hour. Then follows another secretary to deal with the more ordinary—but not less difficult —problems, inquiries, invitations and requests.

11 a.m. —He receives in audience Ministers, foreign ambassadors, public servants, etc.

Lunch. —Rarely a private meal. Usually guests are present. Afternoon—Probably there is an outside engagement. If not, business is done with members of the Royal Household.

Tea.—Secretaries return to repeat the morning routine, dealing with papers which have arrived during the day.

5.30. p.m.—Routine visits from the Prime Minister or. Ministers with business to explain.

Dinner.—lf possible the King dines quietly with his family—but often this is not possible.

Evening.—lf there is no more business or a public engagement he has the hours between late dinner and bedtime to himself.

On Saturday at the Royal Lodge official papers pursue him. His diary shows that on most Sundays a public engagement claims Him in the morning or afternoon. All this takes no account of engagemets outside London. After one of these double or treble the routine work has to be done on His Majesty’s return to town. It is not surprising that those concerned with the King’s welfare are emphasising the words “complete rest.”—N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.