PRINCESS MARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2360, 26 November 1921, Page 4

PRINCESS MARY.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF BETROTHAL.

A REAL LOVE-MATCH,

London, Ngv. 22. ' Official. —The King and the Privy Council have declared their consent to Princess Mary’s marriage. London, Nov. 23.

A Court Circular says:‘Tt is with the greatest pleasure the King and Queen announce the betrothal of their beloved daughter Princess, Mary to Viscount Lascelles. . The courtship has been a real love-mak-ing. The couple have ridden and walked together in London and the country for a long time. It is obvious to those in the inner circle that it is a Other association in country houses-and at Sandringham provided opportunities for knowing and appreciating each other’s worth. Viscount Lascelles approached the King personally and diffidently. The King considered the matter carefully, without reference to Ministers. He and the Queen talked with Princess Mary, and soon realised that their daughter’s happiness centred in Viscount Lascelles, whereon they consented that he should pay formal suit.

The newspapers welcome Princess Mary’s engagement, especially the fact that it tramples down the archaic notion limiting Royal marriage to the Royal caste. Viscount Lascelles is a very wealthy man. In April, 1916, the Marquis of Clnnriearde died, leaving over two millions, the residue of which went to Viscount Lascelles. Throughout the war Viscount Lascelles refused a Staff apopintment, and continued with the Grenadiers in the fighting line, becoming lieutenant-colonel. Queen Alexandra is delighted with the engagement, and offered her grand-daughter heartiest congratulations. Her brothers told Princess Mary how glad they were. The news was cabled to the Prince of Wales in India. Everything is happening as in a private family whose only daughter is affianced. Last night Viscount Lascelles dined with the King and Queen, who sat with the betrothed couple afterwards and discussed with them how personal friends should be especinllv informed.

The Princess is a great sportswoman. She rides and drives well, fishes, swims, . rows, plays tennis, and was taught by the Prince of Wales to drive a car. She is an exceptional linguist, speaking French, German and Italian well, and Spanish, Norse and Danish less fluently. Viscount Lascelles was in the trenches in 1916 when informed that his uncle had left him two millions and a-half. He was destined for politics, the war preventing more than one attempt to enter the House of Commons. Tie purchased Chesterfield House, which is famous and magnificent, at an enormous price. He is a well-known owner of racehorses, and trains at Newmarket. London, Nov. 23. Congratulatory messages are pouring into Buckingham Palace from all classes of the community. [The most notable instance of a princess of the Royal family marrying outside Royalty was that of the Princess Royal, eldest daughter of King Edward, who was married to !He Earl of Fife. Her husband was created a duke at the wedding breakfast.]