THE KING'S COURT IN WAR-TIME.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 129, 7 January 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE KING'S COURT IN WAR-TIME.

AFTKKXOON TKA AT THE PALACE.

It ip live o'clock on one of those afternoons on w b eh Queen Mary \v.u invited some ol her more intimate Iriends to tea in her Majesty's private apartment*.

These afternoon tea gatherings or« not social functions in the ordinorjj fccn-e ol the word, but have been giver, lor some tunc past m order that tin Queen may meet and talk with hei Iriends about the various charitable enterprise in connection with the wai in which her Majesty and her friendi are specially intcersted. Tea is served in the Queen's boudoir one of the most picturesque and beau tiful rooms in the Palace. The wall/ arc covered with water-colour sketcho by muions members ol the Royal Kam iiy, including Queen Alexandra and tin Princess Arthur of Connaught, auto graphed photographs of the Tsar Tsarina, tiie Queen of Italy, and other friends of the Queen are group ed on an exquisite Louis XV. table, t present to her Majisty from the mem liers of the Housoho.d on the occasioi of her man iage. NO SKRVANTS IX ATTENDANCE. The wall* are lined with crimsor silk, and the iipholstehngs are of tin same material. The walls are relinec every live years. The last time thej were relined was in the autumn oJ I'JIO, and they would have been relincc this year but for the war.

These afternoon ten gatherings an of quite an informal character and en tireiy devoid of all the usual Cour ceremonies. The Queen's friends as scinblo in the room a tew minutes be tore five o'clock, and are immediately joined by the Queen. It is a homely and very friendb feathering. Tea is served on a roun< table, and in poured out by the Prin cess .Mary. Tiie cakes and sandwiche, aro handed round by the ladies-in waiting who may be present. No ser vants are in attendance.

The conversation runs entirely 01 war work, and tiie activities ot' thi' sort that all present are engaged in The Queen discusses the work that ii being carried on by the Queen's turn for unemployed women with a lad] who has given her Majesty much useful assistance and information in connection with the objects of this fund. Some of the difficulties attending the efforts of the Queen to help all wai charitable enterprises may be gleaned from the conversation.

One of the guests wlto was asked by the Queen im it previous occasion to inquire into the genuineness and merits of a certain churitahlo endeavour lutes that it has conic to her knowledge that the enterprise in question is quite unworthy of support. Her Majesty is continually being asked to lend her countenance and support to all sorte of charitable activities, and the Queen has to be extremely careful about SO doing. LETTEHS FROM THE PRINCE OF WALES. A number of " war' 1 societies for various (alleged) eharitablo objects have been formed by unscrupulous and dishonest people since the outbreak of the war, whose only real object is to benefit their own pockets. On a table near the tea-table is a red bound volume winch the. Princess Mary shows to n couple of the visitors who have not vet seen it. It contains a most interesting collection of war pictures soenred l>y the Prince of Wales and some ot his more intimate friends at the front. What n price some nl the<e pictures would fetch if allowed ('in for publication!

Tiie pictures are examined with in-tcre-t, and the Princess, in explaining them, read-i some extracts from letters to her from her brother at the front. Presently the clock .set in a frame of ivory and gold on a table near the Queen chimes ~i\-. Her Majesty rises, for she has many matters yet to attend to ere dinner. The Queen's guest,- rise, of course, with their Royal host, and her Majesty shakes handu with each, and then withdraws I'roSJ the room. The Royal ten-party is oviS