THE PRINCE OF WALES

Evening Star, Issue 19791, 15 February 1928, Page 4

THE PRINCE OF WALES

MASTER OF MERCHANT HAVY NEW TITLE CONFERRED. LONDON, February 13. To mark his appreciation of the work of the merchant service in peace and war, the King has conferred the new title on the Prince of Wales of Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets. His Majesty has long considered how to link up the merchant services with the other Empire services by makin ' royalty the titular head. He found difficulty in choosing a title. An exhaustive search of historical records failed to reveal a precedent, hut the King believes that master is the most suitable title. The Prince of Wales in future will wear a merchant piaster’s uniform at merchant service functions. TITLE DEVISED BY THE KING. LONDON, February 14. It is understood that the Prince of Wales’s new title is due solely to the King’s initiative. His Majesty was insistent that it should not convey any suggestion of military rank or imply a connection, direct or indirect, with the Admiralty. The King devised the title himself, rejecting the alternatives of commodore, governor, and warden. The authorities who were consulted considered it was impossible to improve on the King’s own suggestion in the matter. How the Prince will interpret the new office remains to be seen, but it is known he is keen, and intends to make the position a real one. “We are more than satisfied that our new master will be a live wire,” said one who has the, opportunity to know. He becomes the titular head of the entire merchant fleet of the Empire from ships like the Aquitania to the humblest barge.