DUKE AND DUCHESS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3677, 13 August 1927, Page 1

DUKE AND DUCHESS

A JOYOUS HOME-COMING

SPIRITS UNDAMPED BY RAIN

HAPPY FAMILY REUNIONS

LONDON, June 29

There was only one thing that marred tlie arrival in London of the Duke and Duchess of York, and that was the rain. But even through the heavy downpour in the open carriage the dainty Duches smiled as radiantly as she always does and the tanned Duke by her side was looking lmppy and smiling, too. Despite dripping clothes, the spirits of the crowd were not damped, even after their hours of waiting, for they cheered along the entire route and gave the returned travellers a most enthusiastic welcome home.

The Renown, on arrival at Portsmouth, was “dressed” from bow to stern with the colours of the rainbow. The gangway was made fast, and the Prince of Wales, followed by Prince Henry and Prince George, both in naval uniforms, passed up to greet his brother, who stood alone on the quar-ter-deck. One handshake was all there was time for, before the Royal salute crashed out from the band of the Royal Marines on the ship. Then the Duke greeted his younger brothers, thereafter acompanying the Prince of Wales in the inspection of the guard of honour. Upon the Royal deck the Prince op Wales met the Duchess and welcomed her with a kiss, to the obvious delight of the crowd. Prince Henry and Prince George greeted her with a handshake. LAST GLIMPSE OF SHIP. With the inspection of the guard of honour on the jetty, the ceremony of reception ended, and the Duke and Duchess were soon en route for London—standing at the door of their Pullman car for a last glimpse of the brave ship that fbr so many weeks had been their home, and to wave a cheery parting to the tars who still manned her decks. A section of the main line platform at Victoria was carpeted, decorated with lovely flowers, and railed off for the privileged few. The arrival of the King and Queen was made known by the playing of the National Anthem and the sounds of the Royal salute, but they did not appear on the platform until the train was drawing in to the station. Behind the King and Queen, were Princess Mary, with Viscount Lascelles, the Duke of Connaught, Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught, • Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, the Princess Royal, Lady Patricia Ramsay, and Captain Lord Caniegie and Lady Maud Carnegie, and Prince Olaf of Norway, also in naval uniform. Lady Strathmore, simply dressed in black, was with her husband, and both seemed to be counting the minutes. AFFECTIONATE GREETINGS. After, the exchange of affectionate greetings, the King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess, and the other members of the Royal party drove to Buckingham Palace, to the accompaniment of the cheers of the vast assemblage of onlookers. Inside the 'Palace the scene was a happy and touching one. The King and Queen, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and fihe household staff were in the grand hall, but the first thought of the Duke and Duchess was for their little daughter, Princess Elizabeth. Seeing the baby in the nurse’s arms, the Duchess ran forward, exclaiming, “Oh, you little darling,” and kissed and hugged her again and again. It was then the Duke’s turn, and eagerly he took the baby and affectionately kissed her. Later, the Duchess went on to the balcony of the Palace, holding her baby in her arms. Her appearance, accompanied by the King and Queen and the Duke, was the signal for a great outburst of cheering from the large crowds outside the gates. The Duke and Duchess drove away in a closed car, tabling Princess Elizabeth with them. At their new home in Piccadilly there was a repetition of the scenes at Buckingham Palac* and the Duchess appeared on the balcony with the little Princess and the Duke.