SENSATION IN ENGLAND

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1926, Page 2

SENSATION IN ENGLAND

A PRINCESS' MISFORTUNE ASTOUNDING OUTCOME OF. A WILL. ESTATES IN-CHAOTIC CONDITION. The romantic will of the late Lord Farquhar, who, three years ago, left almost the entire bulk of what was believed to be a huge fortune to members of the Royal family, has had an astonishing sequel, some brief details of which were cabled to the Times. It has been disclosed (says the News of the World) that the affairs of this famous peer have been found to be in a state of hopeless chaos, and that as a result heavy losses have been- sustained by tho Princess Royal, the King’s eldest sister, who married the Duke of Fife, in 1880. This, it is stated, is tlie explanation of the recent sale of her famous Romneys and some of the most valuable furniture in her house at Portman Square. A ROMANTIC CAREER. Lord Farquhar, it will be recalled, Had a most romantic career. He became a banker in his youth, and ultimately was one of King Edward's most intimate friends. It therefore came as no surprise When on his death his will was found to consist almost wholly of gifts to the Royal family. He had, of course, died a widower and without an heir. The King and Queen, Queen Alexandra, the King’s sisters, and Prince George—who was bequeathed £2OO0 —were all mentioned in his will; but the bulk of his fortune he bequeathed to the Princess Royal's daughter, Princess Arthur of Connaught, and to the latter’s eon, the Earl of Macduff, who is now 12 years of age. Lord Carnegie, who married Princess Maud, the Princess Royal’s younger daughter, was left a legacy of £50,000, whilst al the time it was estimated that Princess Arthur of Connaught and the Earl of Macduff would each receive about £150,000. ASTOUNDING SEQUEL. Now qpmes the astounding sequel that when Lord Farquhar's affaire were examined they were found to be in a chaotic condition, and* that none of these valuable legacies has been, or can be, paid. The further distressing fact has emerged that the Fife estates were also involved. When the Duke of Fife died in 1912, it was found that under his will he had created a trust fund for his heiress, Princess Arthur of Connaught, who, of course, is now- Duchess of Fife in her own right, and his successor in the duchy. He appointed his widow, the Princess Royal, and Earl Farquhar as joint trustees. Quite naturally, the former bad implicit faith in the Earl, and left everything in hie hands. Her surprise and grief can be well imagined when she learnt, after his death, of the state the funds were in.