WEALTH OF PRESENTS

Chronicle (Levin), 18 November 1947, Page 5

WEALTH OF PRESENTS

Display Fills Six Rooms Of Palace Received Tuesday, . 11 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 17. Six rooms at St. James' Palace are fllled with a display of 2000 wedding presents for Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Mountbatten. They range from glittermg jewellery from the Royal -Family to such homely gifts as a washing machine from residents of Leamington. The centre of attraction .at- a Press review today was a glass case containing a magnificent ruby and diamond necklace from Their Majesties. It is made up of dozens of diamonds studded with rubies, and com.es from the Royal Family's personal collection. The Queen's present was a double strand of rose-tinted pearls and a four inch diamond pendant and earrings. Queen Mary's gifts of jewellery, comprising earrings, tiara, stomacher and brooch, all made of diamonds, appear in the same case. They come from Queen Mary's personal collection. Scotland Yard detectives have kept a discreet and constant guard over the case, which stood under the Throne canopy. Princess Margaret's wedding gifts were a picnic basket with plastic cups, plates and saucers, and some glassware. The Royal Family's nther Gifts include a silver condi-

ments set from the Queen and four silver salvers from Queen Mary, and for Lieutenant Mountbatten a delicately carved gold and silver trinket case from the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and _a gold watch from the Duchess oi Kent. The Swiss Government's gift of a diamond studded wristlet watch, reported to be worth £5000, appears in the same case as the Royal gifts. Cases of magnificent silverware and handsomely designed tea and coffee services line the room. Gifts still being unpacked during the preview included a canteen of cutlery and silver table utensils from the Grenadier Guards. Statuettes representing the Grenadiers through the centuries accompanied the gift. Utilitarian gifts included a sewing machine, a huge refrigerator, several vacuum cleaners, eiectric toasters, brushes, brooms and kettles. There were many gifts' of wines and liqueurs, and one three foot high bottle of 00-years-old brandy. The Dionne quintuplets sent a photograph of themselves. A Nigerian chief sent two elephants' tusks. South Africa's presents included a necklace of diamonds, with a pendant and clip to match, a soliiaire diamond, ring, a gold breakfast set, a gold cigarette box and star of the Order of the Garter made of diamonds, sapphires and rubies. The New Zealand Disabled Servicemen's Re-establishment League sent dress ornaments in a floral design made of gold and paua shell in a box of New Zealand wood. Princess Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace today, received wedding presents from the Empire. Buckingham Palace announces that the Princess Royal, to her very great regret, is unavoidably prevented by a chill from attending the Royal wedding. The decorations outside the Palace include 32 yellow and white banners with "E. and P." in a wine colour, surmounted by a coronet and with a yellow Tudor rose uirderneath.