PRINCE OF WALES’ VISIT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3460, 14 April 1920, Page 7

PRINCE OF WALES’ VISIT.

ETIQUETTE QF DANCING,

CHOOSING HIS PARTNERS. XVATCH THE A.D.C.

By Arthur H. Adams, Meloburne Correspondent of "the Sun! Sydney.)

The important fact about the Prince is that he is fond'of dancing—as a young man who is out to enjoy himself shoufd be. But the Australian girl who looks forward to Her host leading his blushing Royal Highness up to her to ask her for the pleasure of :1 jazz will be disappointed. There is strict ciiuqette to be observed.

The Prince at a ball dances the first dance with his hostess-—lor possibily with her daughter. This is the ofiicial set of lancers that is regarded as necessary for the King’s representative. and incidentally, every suburban flapper in Melbourne is assiduously learning ‘the old thing all over again—— .in the delicious hope that perhaps the ‘prince will ask her to be his partner. What is much more necessary is for High Court Judges and Premiers, and Prime Ministers to learn the “set to partners.” Official sets in Sydney State Balls have shown a deplorable lack of discipline" in dancing the lall<s£'l‘S 011 the part of our leading citizens. I\IAKI;\'G HIS CHOICE. The Prince, having done his duty in the offieial se't, will be free for the rest of the evening to choose his own part~ ners. No matter how inuch a. society girl’s mother wants to get the Prince to dance with her daughter, the matron cannot take the first steps. It all depends on the girl, and what the Prince thinks of the girl. ‘ What according to the etiquette of regal balls will happen is something like this. Vikniong the array of girls in the ballroom _'the Prince sees one that heiwould like for a partner. It" is possible, of course, that most of the girls present willcontrive somehow to be within the range of. the Prince’s glad eye. The Prince, having made his choice, will whisper tohis aide-de-camp, who will approach the girl. On behalf of ‘the Royal guest, he will ask her to be the Prince ’s partner for that dance. The A.D.C. will ask her name, and escort her innnediately to the Prince. She will be p?€sented by the _-'.\.D.C'.

with the w‘ords, “Miss Blank, sir.” The Prince will bow and ofier his arm to her, but she must be sure to make 21 curtsey,before taking it. ' GIRL MUST NOT SPEAK. " V So far the girl has spoken no wortl———— nor must she until the‘ Prince speaks to her. When meeting the Prince at a ball, a girl must be seen but not heard. But’ the Royalyisitor is not likely‘ to remain silent. long when dancingwith an Australian girl. and under the eiicouragemeift of his unaffected youth .and the pleasure of the dance he is sure to set his partner immediately at her ease. . ‘There are many other points of princely etiquette that the Sydney matron and the Sydney girl must learn. The Prince had one experience of shaking hands for hours and days at a time in Canada, and he is not likely to repeat it. The democratic grasp of a princely hand caused such a.-painful swelling in tiiht hand “that it. had to be carried in a sling for days. Hence, during his Australian tour all persons presented to him must either bow or curtsey as they pass before him. If you are presented to the Prince, you must address him as “Sir.” If you are merely one of the 'c'o'r'nTliunity at large, you must call him “Your Royal Highness." ‘ A DELICATE QUESTION. Maybe it is a delicate question whether you consider yourself a. person presented to tihe Prinlce, or merely portion of the community at large. But no doubt there will be rules of etiquette for that. Of course the Prince may, being a sensible young, man——do away with !the stricter portions of Royal etiquette when in the land of the Diggers, and there will certainly be many with whom he will exchange :1. hearty liand-hliake. If the Prince had ‘been. married, his wife would have been addressed as “Ma’-am.” It will be‘ a delicate matter for suburban Mayors to (196160 Wlloth€l' they belong or not to the privileged part of the community. .'_____._.__.._..~.