THE PRINCE’S PALACE

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 5

THE PRINCE’S PALACE

A visit to Blarlborougli House, now practically ready for the reception of the Prince of Wales, brings back many memories of the days when this residence was the London home of King' Edward and Queen Alexandra, as Prince and Princess of Wales (says the ‘Queen’). . Blany of the rooms, and, these include the whole or« the State apartments, remain in much the same condition as then was the case. One prominent feature of the “ old ” Blarlborougli House, however,, that has now disappeared is the glass portico—it could scarcely be dignified by the name of “ conservatory ” —which formerly led from the drawing room suite into the garden. King Edward used this as a sort of smoking lounge, and’ a very cosy retreat it made with its floor of bright yellow and blue tiles and its divans and easy chairs. In the centre'was a small marble fountain, which contained a mass of ferns : over which the water played. It was here that the then Prince of Wales delighted to sit with his friends in the cool of a summer’s evening. Blany a good story and amusing incident was related ; hero, and among the many figures, now, alas! all departed, which one recalls seated here are those of Sir Francis (afterwards Viscount) Knollys, General Sir DiMiton Probyn, the Duke of Fife, Sir Horace (afterwards Lord) Fkrquhar, and Colonel Farguhars_on ; of, luvercduld..

The gardens at Marlborough House to-day present something of a bare and unfamiliar appearance now Jliat many of the fine old elms have been hewn down. This has had thf; effect of banishing the small colony of wood pigeons that formerly had their homes there and whose gentle cooing so greatly delighted Queen Alexandra when she took her evening strolls here. A memory of her still remains, however, in the shape of the high bank that overlooks the old Colour,,Court of St. James’s Palace. This is provided with seats, and is still known as “ the Princess’s Mound,” by reason of the fact that it was here that the late beloved Queen Mother loved to station herself in a morning to see the time-honoured ceremony of the changing of the guard and to listen to the gay music of the band. Another pathetic memory that remains in these gardens is in a corner hidden by trees. It consists of lour tiny tombstones side by side, recording that beneath them lie three of Queen A lexandra’s dogs, together with a pet rabbit. One wonders if the burying place of another rabbit is commemorated anywhere. Among the many alterations that have been carried ouL to Marlborough House in order to render it more convenient for the Prince of Wales has been the provision of a new and very handsome dining room. Thus the great State dining room downstairs remains practically the same as it has always been. This is one of the most striking apartments of its kind to be iound in London at the present day.