H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF YORK

Shannon News, 21 January 1927, Page 1

H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF YORK

OUR COMING VISITOR. What is she like, the little lady, v’ho sailed on Thursday in the Renown, to visit these, the outlying domains of her Royal father-ih-law? Everyone who is thinking about the coming event asks this question. It is difficult to answer, for anyone who enters such an elevated sphere, a sphere so close to the throne, must, of necessity, always be guarded from anything outside the conventional form of life to which she has been called. Resides, there was perhaps more twaddle written about the Duchess before her marriage than is usual, even with a Royal bride-elect. “The Women’s Magazine,” which arranged for a trustworthy description says that the exalted position to Which she has been raised precluded anything in the nature of a direct interview, or information for publication from herself. So she graciously nominated one who knew her well enough to speak with absolute knowledge and authority about herself for a multitude of women readers the world ever. In the Home Circle. The Duchess enjoyed the inestimably valuable life-influence of an upbringing in a loving and happy home circle. Both her sisters, one of whom is now Lady Elphinstone and the other Lady Rose LevensonGower, were somewhat older than she was, and her particular companion was generally her youngest brother, the Hon. David Bowes-Lyon.; Her education was formulated upon sound modern lines that should bring olt whatever might be the special latent ability of her youthful mind. The Countess of Strathmore herself, L a daughter of the late Rev. Charles Cavendish-Bentick, and a member therefore of the ducal family of Portkind. She is a woman of rare culture and charm of mind, and it was ever her desire that her children should show consideration for others and a sense of the responsibilities to which they would be called. As is often the case in a fairly large family, each member developed some notable characteristic. Lady Rose became the musician of the circle; Lady Elphinstone has pursued gardening upon scientific lines, especially along those that deal with the mysteries of the hybridisation of plants. - •A'S' a little girl, Lady Elizabeth loved her dolls, and as she grew older, books and reading took first place in her interests. When her sisters married she became more and more the companion of her mother, assisting her in the many details that come before the great lady of today, whether in connection with the famous Glamis estate and all its traditions of history and romance, or in the more everyday administration of the domestic and social routine at St. Paul’s, Waldenbury, Herts, at which a considerable portion of the year was always spent. “A Born Hostess.” And so it came about that the natural instincts which lead those who know the Duchess best to speak of her as “a born hostess,” had the opportunity of gaining experience. Unhappily, Lady Strathmore fell seriously ill about the beginning of 1922. All her duties had to be fulfilled by Lady Elizabeth, and she has thus acquired a seiise of confidence and savoir faire that will be of inestimable value to her. It is not only that the Duchess has the real art of making her guests happy with a sense of feeling at ease, she possesses in the highest degree the precious gift of tact. She can bring the right people together; she can say the thing that will establish at once a common bona between them; she can plan if needs be, the diversions that will appeal to them; and she never loses her head or becomes flurried as to her arrangements. Small wonder therefore that society sees in her a leader who will take her own distinctive place. Since her marriage, the Ducliess has taken up the study of the various subjects that are now convenientlj summarised as civics. For some time past the Duke has been forming a library bearing on such questions as housing, the hours of labour, the problems of industrial fatigue, provident insurance, and much more of cognate character. The Duchess with the love of reading to which reference has been made, made good use of it, and has especially given attention to those questions with which women of the present day are concerning themselves. It is said by -a person, who knows her as well as one person can know another. “She has the gift of being able to be interested in whatever comes before her, all people, all classes of people, all the topics, all the personalities, and all the new advances that are used in daily life.” “Not a Modem Girl.” The question was frankly put: “What is the impression of herself that Her Royal Highness would like people to have of her?” Without hesitation came the answer, “that she is quite unselfish.” And the explanation was added that ir. many respecis she could not be re-

garded as a “modern girl.” She hg* not placed her pleasures and amusements in the forefront. Games and dancing she has enjoyed in their strict proportion, and no more, to other and more serious happenings. * The Duchess’ Taste in Dress. As to dress, the Duchess’ tastes are quiet, but they are personal and her own. She will not accept anything j merely because it is fashionable, but she knows very well what suits her, tor she i s slight. and petite, and it I is by no means every style that does her justice. She takes a -great deal of interest in her dress, and devotes] time and thought to it, before she] decides what she will have. More-1 over she understands exceptionally I well what is right and fitting different occasions. - * ‘ -I ■ \ Jail