FORTUNE’S DARLING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2135, 1 June 1920, Page 1

FORTUNE’S DARLING.

THE PRINCE’S STRENUOUS DAILY LIFE. HARD GAMES, BRIGHT MUSIC. (From Mr Keith Murdoch, Special Representative of the Sydney Sun with the Prince’s Party.) The Prince of Wales is not a darling of fortune for nothing. By which I mean that he enjoys good things, good company, good games, good music, good wine, and food. And as he is enormously rich —his estates in Cornwall alone bring him some £70,000 a year —he can and does command these things. “The favoured son of a wealthy nation,” you will say. But that is not all.

One thing I noted down after talking with him was that he had “a good deal of command.” He speaks as though confident of respect and acceptance; another that he showed “unquestioning and quick obedience to official calls.” Bui one advantage he commands in vain. No amount of wishing or requesting of carrying through princely functions m dutiful manner can bring him away from tiie dangers and snares-of his position —the fawning of courtiers, the adulation of women, the blighted perspective of a pampered prince; such things lie has to meet alone and defeat. SPORT AND RELAXATION. Tlis chief joy on shipboard, is exercise; his next, light music. The lirst he takes in huge doses. Running, skipping, jumping, hall-games, squash racquets, splashing in seawater baths —the more the mcrrici—these occupy him for several hours daily. Sometimes he is in the racquets court before breakfast, hut that is .seldom. One hard game in the forenoon and one late in the afternoon suffice, on a tropical voyage, to leave one limp, perspiring, and thinner than before. .The Prince throws his court open to all officers, and provides' racquets and Halls. His “squash” tournaments, in which he is a keen competitor, form one of the sporting features of (he voyage. He likes reading, smokes moderately, and is fond of dancing.'

His band "on the Renown is his special choice. The bandmaster, Lieutenant P. O’Donnell, is one of those with whom he consults every day. Music is indeed a passion with (he Prince. A strong band plays to him and his guests throughout dinner, and some times into the evening. It is ragtime, jazz, light opera, music adapted from things heard ashore, music always of the bright and simple type. 'When in the mood the Prince will click clackers, and on liis visits to the wardroom and gunroom for dinner lie joins with glee the jazz bands of the younger officers. I should think he would be happy in some of his idle moments to conduct his own “show.” THE ROYAL RETINUE.

The Prince has few servants. Except his valet and two orderlies from Ids battalion, .the Welsh Guards, all are naval ratings. 'The food served at his table is a reminder of Paris days. But his cook is only an “admiral’s cook” —a servant in the Royal Navy. An admiral’s cook is always a personage. He is entitled to a cabin to himself, and gets liberal sprinklings of privileges. If the navy has many as skilful as the doyen now attending on the Prince, it is rich in lirst-class chefs —and admirals are more than ever lucky beings. Two of Scotland Yard's best known men arc on this ship, and will shadow the Prince on land — Inspector Clarkson and Sub-Inspec-tor Burt. They know their game through and "through. They know the evil places in each community, the strength of the local “talent,” the steps to be taken to make the Prince safe. HOME LETTERS. His extreme affection for his parents is well known, and he writes freely and often to them. Batches of photographs go back —pictures of places he has seen, of himself plunging in the seabaths, or decked for the first time in his life in tropical uniform, or surfing at Honolulu. It is an impressive incident at his table when he proposes the King’s health.

His- position as King’s heir, together with his deep respect for his .father, gives an intensity to the moment, which the brief supervening silence makes wholly dramatic. The custom on hoard a warship is for the company to remain seated while the King’s health is being drunk. One hopes this ofd habit is duedo the dangers of old-time seadogs banging their heads upon the roofs of the narrow ’tween-decks, and not upon their incapacity to stand up. SWEETHEARTS AND WIVES. Anyhow, the; Prince, declines to

follow this custom. Erect, • with rigid respect, more formal at this moment than any other time, he stands with glass raised. The company has risen. Around the polished table and its great silver bowls of flowers glasses are lifted. Music boats down. And the King’s son drinks the King’s health. A second toast, only less sacred in the Navy, is proposed each “Saturday night at sea.” The Prince proposes it himself: “Sweethearts and Wives!” Usually the Renown anchors in the open sea outside harbours, owing to navigation difficulties, and the Prince uses a smart pinnace painted dee]) blue, with Prince of Wales’ feathers in copper on her sides.