THE ROYAL WEDDING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 316, 30 May 1913, Page 8

THE ROYAL WEDDING.

THE KAISER'S ONLY DAUGHTER. (By Hedwig Countess Platen,,* in London , : Daily Mail). "Our little Princess!" Thus it is that Victoria Louise, the fair, slender daughter of the Kaiser, has always been called tfiid is still lovingly called by the Herman people to-day. Tenderness something like personal possession rings in the words, which have been coined for the Kaiser's only daughter not only in the , Imperial capital but throughout the whole of the country. In the north and in the south the same trusting affection, "Our little Princess!" And thus she is i termed by those who have never seen 'her. 1 How does she look? What is our Princess like? Not only the school children would like to know all about, her, but the "grown-ups," who are -.always so much interested in everything that happens in the Kaiser's family, are now burning to learn as much as possible of the Kaiser's child, of the future wife of Brince Ernest Augustus of Cumberland. Pictures do not live, do not breathe, speak or smile. Her delicately fine fees beams in the rellection of love, and a new expression of unfolding plays around her lips and shineß in her eyes, Her*fe»tures used not to wear this" exprAslon—this strange, sweet, dreamy expression of the girl who is betrothed.' • But we must put our finger on our lips lest a word disclose a heart's secret We are only going toi, talk' abijatr;the,. exterior of our Princess. .Shli Is - of; middle height, slender and supple, The charm of her mother had been inherited by her. One of the latest pictures of Victoria! Louise—showing her in a wliite J lightly flowing robe, her small head slightly bent, before a tall vasfc of white lilies—resembles a charming pictures of the Kaiserin in her youth. In each the grave of line that has always characterised' the Kaiserin is noticeable. But what has Victoria Louise inherited from her | father, whose darling she is? Some say the eyes. That may be true, for the I Princess' eves can also have the jocular yet critical expression of the Kaiser. And then, too, the. English touch be* - trays itself in the Princess* manner and ' expression. Thp girlish figure, the frank, innocently natural manner, might well belong to an Enslish girl, and the English nationality might easily be belioved from her ( appearance. Princess Victoria Louise was brought up in the English fashion that has become the example everywhere in Germany for, the education ■ of children. It is sometimes said that in earliest childhood she spoke more English than German. Is Victoria Louise a good convert*- • tionalist? "Rather!" I was once told in • Homburg as the laughing assurance from - one who certainly knew. "She is Very • lively. Not only is her heart in the. right place, but she knows how. ( to express in the right words what she thirties • and means." Our Princess is kind and self-possessed' and knows how to do the right thingat the right moment. Some years ago,. when driving out, she found »,man .whoi had met with an accident, whom perhaps • Others<h«d passed by and.lofl+tO his fate. . Victoria Louise did not hesitate,; she > saw to it that help was immediately forthcoming, and took special care that' the wounded man obtained proper treatment. The same lofty sentiments ire--garding the imperativeness of fulfilling duty which are held by her parents AH' the young Princess too. How could itbe otherwise with a member of the House - of Hohenzollern? "Who does not found' his life upon the basis of religion is lost." Such words from the Kaiser do > not leave one long in doubt as to theinward foundation upon which' the char--acter of his dearly-loved .youngest child* has developed. Yet Victoria Louise at* home in the family circle is a merry child. Her gay laughter; when dancing* with companions of her own age sounds just as unconcerned as~that*of of her years who know nothing about the constraint of Courts. Constraint? Victoria Louise's flue,, amused little smile Would play on her lips at the word. What is a matter of course is to her no restraint. And' unconstrainedly natural; gay amTami&ble is the Princess wherever she appears, inall that she doeß. At play with the Crown Prince's children, who are often entrusted to the care ofr t&ttitt young' aunt, at sport, .in her quiet'home occupations of painting or,fancy vwu*k,.at a*. occasional musical evening in the intimate family circle— everywhere the same merry effect of Princess Victoria, Louiso'*, presence is apparent,, Things are especially gay at the Schloss, in winter, when the dance rehearsals tat: the Court balls take place, Youthful. gaiety reigns in the glittering room*,, beneath the eyes of the Kaiserin, wh.o. enjoys being present,. A&i* well knpwn,, the Kaiser suffers no, negligent dsneingi. Whoever wishes to dance before him. must do it well or. ejse "suspend, hjfc drill," as the Kaiser, recently ordered. % too awkward amateun- to. do,. Sis, djafling daughter, indeed,, dances with, exeeotional grace. And the Princess is as good a. skatejcas she is a dancer,, and when she a«t herstately mother aft'oud the pujWjq a»oao.Br siooal opportunity of seeing them on, the New Lake i»i &e Tierg&xten, exclamations of admiration at th* two, graceful figures may be heard on; eyery sidle. Victoria Louise is equally gtaqefui on horseback. Her dogs, terrier* and dacl* * shunds are as dear to her as chaldTett-r she educates, spoils, cares faty plays and! romps witjh, them and is immensely proud. of their docility and obedience. Many pictures exist showing Victoria Louise with her; pet horses and; dogs. One particularly good one represents the Princess in the uniform of the regiment whose chief she is, holding her beautiful thoroughb'red'by the bridle." The becoming Hussar uniform suits hor charmingly. One might almost think another slender young prince has been added to the proud number of six! A wide piece of tho world has already opened before her eyes that know so well how to observe. England, Corfu, Venice. Austria, the Engadine, "Brussels, with its international exhibition, the north and south of her own Fatherland, all this she has seen, and the kodak that Victoria Louise manages skilfully has endeavored to retain her impressions. Gifts of mind and body in the best sense of the word have been lavished upon Princess Victoria Louise, who is indeed a spoilt and greatly blessed child of fortune. Choice pearls carefully collected by her august mother and presented to her on every birthday adorn her, but of those other pearls that are drawn by sorrow from the depths of the soul Victoria Louise as yet knows nothing.