PICNICED WITH QUEEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1939, Page 8

PICNICED WITH QUEEN

HOUSEKEEPER AT WINDSOR CASTLE. Mrs S. Rawlings, for the past 26 years housekeeper at Windsor Castle, has retired. She is a close friend of all members of the Royal Family—just how close this story tells. A number of years ago Queen Mary was rearranging the private and State apartments at the Castle. She did not like to be interrupted in her work for meals. So from time to time she would bring a picnic lunch with her to the Castle. She and Mrs Rawlings would cat it in one of the State rooms —-and continue to discuss their refurnishing plans. In recognition of the services of Mrs Rawlings the King has given her Adelaide Cottage—in the grounds of the Castle, at Frogmore. Before the King and Queen left Windsor Castle recently they sent for Mrs Rawlings and said they would not say “good-bye” as they would frequently call at Adelaide Cottage when they were out for walks. When King George V. was seriously ill at Windsor, Mrs Rawlings was the only one allowed in the sick room apart from the Queen, doctors, and nurses. She always prepared the meals for the King, and took them to his bedside. At the start of the war the King ask-1 ed Mrs Rawlings to see that the blackout at the Castle was complete. With its hundreds of windows and yards of glass rooms this was a gigantic undertaking, and Mrs Rawlings bought hundreds of yards of material for heavy curtains.