QUINTS AND ROYALTY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 186, 24 May 1939, Page 3

QUINTS AND ROYALTY

MKKTitm :-V QUEEN EMBRACED

UNREHEARSED INCIDENT CHARMING TORONTO SCENE AUDIENCE OF 19 MINUTES

TORONTO, May 22. 'The King and Queen spent. 19 minutes with the Dionne quintuplets, says the special representative of the Australian Associated Press. The little girls, not content with the formal presentation, Jater spontaneously came up and put their arms around the Queen’s neck, giving her a very affiectionate kiss which Her .Majesty returned. Yvonne thought tile King,. shou Id receive some attention, so approached him and took him by the hand. The quintuplets gave the Queen photographs of themselves, which each autographed. Their Majesties gave them each a little blue coat. The little girls were pictures in long white frilly frocks and white organdie and wearing white mesh mittens tied with little ribbons and' with white poke bonnets slipped hack over tlieir shoulders, setting off their brown hair and wide brown eyes. Favourite Flowers Each of the quints was allowed one spot of colour expressed in her favourite flower. Mario had yeJlowTDs'ebuds in her hair,.Annette green blossoms, Cteile blue, Emile rose-buds, and

Yvonne mauve heather. Each carried a little bouquet matching the blossoms in her hair. The meeting took place in the music room of the Lieutenant-Governor's suite in the Ontario Legislature buildings in the quiet dignified atmosphere of a Alayfair drawing-room. It was a wonderful birthday celebration for the quintuplets who are wards of the King. They complete their fifth year a weqk from to-day.

The girls were as composed as young debutantes as they sat on a chesterfield awaiting the arrival of Their AUajcsties and chatted quietli and happily with their parents and Dr. Dafoe and three nurses who had no difficulty with them whatever 'during tho visit, to Toronto, although this was the first time they had left the few hundred yards of area around their home at Callander. Wonderful (Health They are in wonderful health. Weighed this morning they showed an. average of ollbs, compared with Hlbs. at birth. 'Their eyes lit up when the King, in the glo'ryi of an Admiral’s uniform and the Queen, beautiful in blue, entered accompanied by the Premier ot Ontario, Air. Mitchell Hepburn, Airs. Hepburn and the Canadian Prime Alinister, Air. W. L. AlacjCenzie King. Dr. Dafoe and the nurses were the first to lie presented. Then the children all rose one by one and curtseyed very sweetly. Their Alajestie.s turned to Dr. Dafoe and were questioning him when the quintuplets noticed the superb bouquet presented to the Queen earlier in the Legislative Chamber. Spontaneously they approached and four gave her their posies which she smilingly accepted. Posy For The King Alarie, iicweyer, had been watching the King closely throughout and with a disarming smile she gravely presented her posy to him and l slipped her hand into his. Cecile then put her arms round the Queen's neck as Her Majesty leaned forward and embraced her warmly aim the others followed suit, forming one of the most enchanting pictures possible. Only a few, however, were privileged to see it as photographers were not present. The Queen talked in French for several minutes with Mrs. Dionne, and the King engaged Mr. Dionne in conversation in the same tongue. The children, meanwhile, clustered around Their Majesties’ knees, gazing up wide eyed. Yvonne cried out: “I’m Yvonne’’ eagerly. The others took up the chorus, calling out their names. The quintet were decorous but star-ry-eyed as Their -Majesties took their departure. Yvonne’s eyes’ were still glued on the King’s, buttons which fascinated her. ' The naturalness and delight evinced

by the King and Queen in the children at this unique meeting was, to the handful of observers, a precious and complete revelation of their rich humaneness. Meanwhile 1500 representatives of the church andl State jammed into the Legislative Chamber, where Their Alajestie.s earlier received the province’s loyal address, were delighted when the Speaker of the Legislature announced that if they refrained from applause Dr. Dafoe would give them an opportunity of seeing “the five queens wh« hold sway in the hearts of the people throughout the work!.” The little girls then filed in, holding the hands of their parents and Dr. Dafoe. 'These three were completely free from the nervousness which earlier had led the two men into curtesying to Their -Majesties when prcsentcdl. The quintuplets gazed round happily and waved up at the galleries. Yvonne and Marie blew kisses as they passed along the red carpet. Alarie' wajs-yjpil-ed in the attempt to climb up thcTlais where Their .Majesties sat. 'The children were obviously feeling that the party was ending just as it was beginning. All live dragged at their guiding adult hands ns tliey approached the door antlt tinned their Jieads and waved frantically.