HOLDING “FORT” FORLORN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 22, 30 April 1947, Page 3

HOLDING “FORT” FORLORN

HOME OF DUKE OF WINDSOR TENDED BY CARETAKER What is to become of Fort Belvedere? The large, turreted country house of King Edward VIII, now the Duke of Windsor, at Virginia Water, Surrey, from which he made his Abdication broadcast, stands today in isolation on Shrubbs Hill, tended only by the caretaker, old Charlie Doe, and his wife, writes Denis Foley in an English paper.

The Fort, part of the Crown Lands, has not been used as a royal residence since the Abdication in 1936; but during the war it was occupied by Civil Servants. More than a year ago they left, and since then the house has remained empty except for crates of Civil Service paraphernalia still stacked in the lower rooms.

Over the lawns Charlie Doe ,with hfe black dog Monty now wanders, tending to the flower beds and keeping the place in trim. Once a staff of ten gardeners helped the Duke of Windsor as Prince and King to plan the flower gardens in which he took a special pride. The job is too big for one man, and today only the immediate precincts of the Fort are in any state of order.

The front door of the Fort, over which the letters “G.R.” have been inscribed, is locked. Inside, Mrs Doe dusts the rooms and daily opens the windows to keep the place aired. Who the next tenant will be nobody knows. Fort Belvedere is what is known as a “grace and favour” estate to the King, who bestows it upon whom he wishes.

Until such time as it is once more occupied, until the cars roll up the long drive and pull up on the forecourt where stands the milestone—- “ 22 miles from Hyde Park Corner” —Charlie Doe will hold the fort.