PRINCE OF WALES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1929, Page 7

PRINCE OF WALES

A NEW BIOGRAPHY

LiONDON, September 26,

Two young journalists Alessrs W. and U. iowiiteiid) have written a biography of tne Pi nice of Wales. The iuiulisiiers (.Harriot) state that the manuscript was read by Sir Godfrey Thomas, the Prince’s private secretary. if it does not coniain any “revelations,” that is, as the authors truly say, “because there is nothing sensational to write about the Prince o. Wales.” The hook is a straightforward narrative, interspersed with anecdotes to illustrate the' Prince’s personality. The authors restrict their comments, and thus avoid most of tiie perns mat beset the biographies ot royal tv.

'Hie Prince’s happy childhood is well described. Queen Victoria made much of her eldest great-grandson, and had a special nursery installed for him at Buckingham Palace. “David”—the pet name which his mother always used lor him -soon grew into a high-spirited and mischievous hoy. who led his brother and sister in their nursery escapades. One favourite trip of “David” and

“Bertie” was to strut from their beds on the occasion of a ball being held by their royal parents, and, loaded with wet sponges from the bathroom, creep along the gallery that circled the ball room and drop these wet sponges on the sitting-out couples and then scamper back to bed, well satisfied with their evening’s work. It was “David” who, on his bicycle played “FoJlow-my-leader” among the flower beds at Sandringham— not to the advantage of the flowers. It was “David” who once hid the equerry’s helmet when the Duke and Duchess were setting out for a drive.

In 1909 the late Czar visited Osborne college. 'J lie Prince acted as bis guide, and at the end led him to the tuck shop. Here the Czar was introduced to all the particular friends of “Edward of Wales,” who had been carefully instructed beforehand to be there, as the Cadet-Prince shrewdly surmised that his Imperial kinsmen would most certainly “stand treat.” In this he was not disappointed, and an hour later some half a dozen cadets, including “Edward of Wales,” strolled back to the college with satisfied grins on their faces, while the Czar returned to the Czarina complaining bitterly of indigestion.

PARTNER AT A DANCE.

An incident at Panama is recalled

“During the evening it was noticed that the Prince chose as his partner a Very pretty girl whose dancing greatly pleased him. .After a" time the unrest amongst the more important feminine guests communicated itself to the Prince’s staff, who were informed that the chosen partner of H.11.H. was but an assistant in a drug store. It was also hinted that ladies most important socially were awaiting the honour of a dance with the Prince. “Tactfully, the matter was broached with the Prince. ... His reply to the veiled reproach was typical: “An assistant in a drug store,” he sad. “Well, it must be a jolly good drug store!” Afterwards he fulfiled his “duty dances” and returned once more to the partner of his choice.”

At Osborne “one one occasion during a conversation Prince Edvard referred to ‘my grandfather, the King,’ and because it was considered a violation of the point of honour connected with the Prince’s presence at the school one boy - took exception to the reference. High words followed, and the Prince, losing hs temper for once, invited his opponent to fight. The Cadet-Prince put up a very good show indeed. The fight took place in the dormitory in which the Prince slept, and a place was quickly cleared where the combatants could have perfect freedom. The fight lasted nearly half an hour, and it is difficult to say who would eventually have taken the count, because the officer on duty, hearing the affair, promptly put a stop to it.” VIEWS ON MARRIAGE. There is also in the book a discussion on the view the Prince holds with regard to marriage. The biographers say: “The Prince is reported to keep an album full of cuttings containing reports of his various impending ‘engagements’ which he shows to the favoured few whom he entertains.

“It is not easy to define his Royal Highness’s outlook on, marriage. “It is certain that he regards the sanctity of marriage so seriously that he will not be thrust into a marriage of convenience. “The Prince has no doubt inherited from his father a preference for the company of men. King George is always at ease and very happy with his male friends though he can be a charming companion to ladies. “Retaining the best of uie so-called old-fashioned beliefs in his creed of modernity, the Prince is a firm, disciple of the belief that there is no use in marrying without love. Recause he has not yet experienced that emotion in its true intensity the Prince does not get married. That is all there is to it.

“The Prince of Wales at 35 years of age is still a bachelor, ft is interesting to note the marrying ages of lieirsapparent in the past. His father George V was 28, Edward VIT was was 22, William IV-was 53, and George was 33.

“His only sister. Princess Mary, is never tired of telling her Favourite brother ‘David’ that ho needs a woman to ‘look after him,’ ”