GOSSIP ABOUT THE DUKE OF KENT

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 336, 18 January 1937, Page 5

GOSSIP ABOUT THE DUKE OF KENT

SCANDALOUS STATEMENTS CURRENT IN LONDON. HARMLESS DRIVE TO PHRENOLOGIST CAUSED SCURRILOUS COMMENT. HARMLESS INCIDENT MAGNIFIED AND DISTORTED. (Press Association—Copyright.) Received 1 1.30 a.m. LONDON, January 17. With the Duchess of Kent’s recovery, she and the Duke will henceforth participate to a greater extent in public functions, both individually and together, than hitherto, in order to relieve Their Majesties, whose engagements are exceptionally heavy during the coming cominths in view of the Coronation. This news is specially welcome in view of the ridiculous gossip which has been circulating since the Duke’s visit to a phrenologist on January 1, in company with a Mrs. Allen.

The real facts are that Mrs. W. E. R. Allen, who was the beautiful debutantes, Miss Paula Gelhbrand and later the Marquise de Casa Maury, has known the Duke since he was a ‘ junior officer in the Navy. She and her husband, who is a prominent advertising agent and world traveller, have been living in recent years almost entirely in Ireland. While on a recent visit to London at the New Year, she called upon the Duke and Duchess ot Kent to enquire how the Duchess and baby were ‘ faring. She happened to mention her appointment with a phrenologist, and the Duke offered to drive her there. On the spur ot the moment he also had his head read. There was no attempt at concealment and the Press published the story at the time, but the harmless incident was seized, magnified and distorted by scandalmongers. It was even suggested that Mr. Allen was seeking divorce. According to the Sunday Referee, the gossip is causing pain and anger in the Royal Family. The Duke of Kent has received a large number of scurrilous and anonymous letters.