PRINCESS AND BABY MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

Grey River Argus, 17 November 1948, Page 3

PRINCESS AND BABY MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

. Speculations As To His Name LONDON, November 15. It is officially announced that Princess Elizabeth’s son weighed 71b 6oz. Those who have seen the young Prince describe him as a “bonny lad”. The weight of Princess Elizabeth's baby is very nearly the ideal which modern gynaecologists hope for in the case of baby boys. Princess Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, was 61b lloz at birth; Prince William of Gloucester, 71bs; the Duke of Kent 61b 12oz; Princess Alexander of Kent 61b 8oz; and Prince Michael of Kent 71b 4oz. Princess Elizabeth’s birth weight was given as “a little below average”. Princess Elizabeth will be able to feed her son herself. , Sir William Gillatt and Sir John Weir saw Princess Elizabeth on Monday night, but no bulletin was issued after their first visit, and no further bulletin will be issued until Tuesday morning. This is a firm indication that the Princess’s condition is quite satisfactory, and that everything is going entirely normally. Monday morning’s bulletin that the Princess had “some sleep” is taken to indicate that she had not an entirely undisturbed night, but that is causing no anxiety, as it is a general experience after birth. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Their Majesties will choose the little Prince’s names within the next few days. ROYAL VISITORS Among the callers at the Palace-to-day were Queen Mary, who saw hei great-grandson for the second time, the Duchess of Gloucester and Prince William and the Duchess of Kent. Prince William took a basket o? red roses and a letter written in his own hand for Princess Elizabeth. Holland’s Queen Juliana and Princ.rBernhard sent congratulations. A huge bouquet of Swiss roses ano carnations was flown from Switzerland with greetings to Princess Elizabeth from Swiss horticulturists. Princess Elizabeth and the. Duke have also received messages from the Secretary for Air, Air Henderson, on behalf of the Air Council, and the Eire President, ■Mr O’Kelly, as well as from the Board of Deputies of British Jews. MR FRASER’S MESSAGE The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Air Fraser, sent a message to Princess Elizabeth: “Alay I add my own personal congratulations and good wishes to those of the Government and people of New Zealand and express, with deep respect, by heartfelt thankfulness that Your Royal Highness and the Prince are both well”. President Truman and Airs Truman cabled Princess Elizabeth from Key West "Mrs Truman and I are delighted at the news of the birth of your son, and felicitate you and the Duke on this happy occasion”. Italy’s President, Signor Ernaudi. sent a congratulatory message to Their Alajesties. CABINET’S JOY Saying that the House would like the opportunity to express its satisfaction and joy at the happy event, the Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, gave notice that he would move a motion of congratulations to Their Alajesties, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to-morrow. A statement issued from No. 10 Downing Street said: “The Cabinet, at a meeting this morning, expressed deep satisfaction at the birth of a son to Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, and. asked Mr Attlee to convey to Their Alajesties and Princess Elizabeth and the Duke their congratulations upon the happy event”. RUSSIAN COMMENT Typical Russian comment was given by a middle-aged woman, who asked: “Why the fuss over a pom little baby?” Only a small number of Russians who listen to the 8.8. C. or read the British Embassy journal know of the birth, as the Russian press normally ignores all Royal affairs. N.Z. Parliament’s Congratulations to Royal Family P.A. WELLINGTON, Nov. 16. The following: resolution was unanimously agreed to by the House of Representatives to-day, on the motion of the Rt. Hon. W. Nash, and seconded by A'lr S. G. Holland: "That a humble address be presented to His Excellency in the following words: ‘To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty—Most Gracious Sovereign: We, . Your Afajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, ’ the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, in affirming our most earnest desire for the continued health and happiness of Your Afajesty and of your Royal family, beg to express to Your Majesty and to Her Majesty the Queen the deep pleasure with which your loyal subjects of New Zealand have received the announcement of the birth of a Prince to Their Royal Highnesses, Phincess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, to extend to Their Royal Highnesses the sincere congratulations and warm good wishes of the people of New Zealand on this joyous occasion.’ ” N.Z. Thanked For Messages WELLINGTON, Nov. 16 The following message from His Majesty has been received by the Deputy of the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Humnhrey O’Leary: "The Queen and I sincerely thank you. the Government, and people of New Zealand, its island territories and Western Samoa for your kind message on the birth of oui’ grandson.” „ The Acting Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. W. Nash, read the following message from Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at a State reception this morning to honour the birth of the new prince: We are most grateful for your kind message of congratulations.” Air Nash also read a further message from the King: “The Queen and I sincerely thank you and your colleagues of the New Zealand Government for your kind message on the birth of our grandchild.

NEWS IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, November 16. The Victorian State Cabinet granted a full hol.'day to school children for the Royal birth. This was not done in New South Wales. When people in Adelaide heard bells pealing at the Town Hall they stared because they knew the Town Hall had no Deal. The Town Hall caretaker had climbed into the clock tower, stood on a thin plank, hung on grimly, and struck each bell with a hammer. , A , ~ Melbourne was slow to hear the news, which arrived as most employees* were travelling to work. The carillon of Melbourne University then pealed, and flags began to unfurl.