PRINCESS MARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1921, Page 4

PRINCESS MARY.

WEDDING NEXT YEAR. A POPULAR ENGAGEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigi. Received Nov. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 23. Although the date has not been fixec it is understood Princess Mary's wed ding will be celebrated in January oi February at Westminster or St. James’ Chapel Royal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Nov. 24, 7.25 p.m. London, Nov. 24. Princess Mary’s engagement ring is a single- square cut emerald. Viscouni Lascelles states the wedding cannot be solemnised for some months. Viscount Lascelles, as chairman of a West End hospital for nervous diseases, presided at the annual dinner held at the Trocadero restaurant. He was the recipient of a great ovation, cbeenng crowds lining the streets. Prince Henry was present at the dinner. Thousands gathered in the vicinity oi Buckingham Palace in the early morning and continued through the day eager to catch a glimpse of the Princess Hundreds of distinguished people signed the visitors’ book and thousands of congratulatory telegrams were received, including one from the Prince of Wales. Viscount Lascelles, interviewed by the Daily Express, said: “X chose the ring which, I am glad to say, met with ths Princess’ approval. I know nothing oi a proposal to advance me a step in the peerage and should think it very unlikely.” Messages of congratulation on Princess Mary’s engagement are pouring in to Buckingham Palace from all classes of the community.

One good thing the war has done has been to knock finally on tbe head all thought of policy marriages abroad for members of the British Royal Family, and has left our Princes and Princesses almost as free as ordinary human beings to fall in love and marry whom they will. Almost—-but not quite—for the cable news reminds us that “12 Geo. 11l c.ll” is still on the Statute Book. This was passed in 1772 in consequence of the fury of George II over the marriages of the Dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester, the latter of whom married an illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Walpole. Under it no descendant of George II can marry without the consent of the King given under the Great Seal- It will be noticed that the King and the Privy Council are stated to have approved the marriage of Princess Mary. Princess Mary has never been created Princess Royal, presumably as this title remains with her aunt, the DuchessDowager of Fife, during her life-time. It remains to be seen now whether history will repeat itself, for when the Princess Royal in 1889 married the Earl of Fife. Queen Victoria made him a Duke at the wedding breakfast. Just the opposite happened in 1919 when Princess Patricia of Connaught married Commander Ramsey, R.N., for he got no title and she became Lady Patricia Ramsey. Princess Mary has £6OOO a year on the Civil List since she came of age. and there is no provision for her to receive more on marriage. The King’s sons receive £lO,OOO a year on coming of age and £15,000 a year on marriage. —Dominion.