DUKE OF WINDSOR

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 445, 28 May 1937, Page 3

DUKE OF WINDSOR

REUNION AT CHATEAU “Wonderfully Happy” London, May 8. I “We saw the Duke of Windsor wave his band and smile as a big black limousine shot through the gates of the Chateau de Ca.nde: a moment, latter he and Mrs. Simpson were kissing on the stone steps of the house/’ wrote Walter G. Farr, special correspondent of the Daily Mail, last Tueeday, when describing the reunion of the Duke and Mrs. Simpson at Tours, France. The writer added: — Such was the meeting between the man and woman on whom the thoughts of millions throughout the World were centred this afternoon. their first meeting since the abdication last December, To-night, in the privacy of the heavily guarded chateau, ithe Duke and Mrs. Simpson were planning their wedding. After dinner they also watched, in the miniature cinema .theatre, a film of the Duke’s arrival, taken by a. friend at (Mrs. .Simpson’s (request. For tha)f meeting on the steps, simple as it was, will be long remembered. Mrs. Simpson Radiant. “The car of His Royal Highness is now entering the chateau grounds." It was at 1.30 p.m. that, in precise tones,, an egtatp official spbke these words by telephone from the entrance Jodge to those who waited in tflie chateau: Mrs. Simplon/ radiant in a tunic dress of blue—her favourite colour—<and black shirt, rose from her chair in the salon and walked toward the doorway, where footmen waited.

From the big, travel-stained car sprang the Duke of Windsor, his face deeply tanned by the Austrian sun. Swiftly he hurried up the broad stone steps to embrace her. For wtalt, seemed more than a minute they did not speak. Then, as Mr. and Mrs: Bedaux, their host and hostess, and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Rogers, Itheir friends from Cannes, began to superintend the unpacking of the baggage, the Duke and Mrs'. Simpson linked arms and walked into the house. They spoke animatedly, often excitedlyl Talk in Salon. The Duke was thinner than when last Mrs. Simpson saw him, his hair seemed to be fairer—but. his friends say they have never known him look fitter or happier. As they talked . alone in the salon for 10 minutes they looked out through the huge windows, lined, with masses of tulips and rhododendrons, on one of the most magnificent rural scenes in central France. Brilliant sunshine lit up the slowly moving waters of the River Indre, They could tee, in the narrow road beyond the river, crowds of visitors who had gathered to greet them, kept back by armed guards:. Luncheon was announced. The Duke took Mrs Simpson’s arm and, both smiling ham pily, they went to join their host and hostess in the great dining room. The' meal lasted more than two hours, for there was <a. lot to say. Gifts from Austria. ‘ LUiter, added the correspondent, a • friend told me: “The Duke and' Mrs! Simpson arei wonderfully happy. They have been talking a lot about England. There is a friendly rivalry between them over the taking of photogTaphs. Mrs. Simpson showed t(he Duke a large collection of snaps which the had taken, not only in the chateau country here, but also at Cannes. The Duke had many interesting mountain pictures to show her. He brought some gifts from Austria for her, including a number of carved wood ornaments and an embroidered Tyrolean. costume. She was wearing alpine flowers he had picked!.’’ This afternoon, (continued the writer,., the two were, again alone. in the warm sunshine they strolled through the grounds. Mrs Simpson was seen to stoop and pick the Duke a. buttonhole of spring flowers. She showed him the 18-holes golf course, where he will play to-morrow. They walked on through the woods of the lOOO.acre estate, followed by two Cairn terriers—one of the Duke’s, which he brought from Austria, the other Mrs. Simpson's, his gift to her. Fairylike Scene. They dined with Ml*, and Mrs. Bedaux, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, and two guests, and afterward took coffee on the terrace, Mrs. Simpson wearing a sports cloak over heir shoulders. The whole of (the ground floor was a blaze of light, and hundreds of people flocked from the vik lages around to look at the fairylike scene from outside the grounds. The Duke spent some time listening to the broadcast news from England and to other radio stations' throughout the world which were describing his arrival and journey from initrilji.