Grandfather’s house
A Society paragraphist says that when the King heard that the Duke and Duchess of York proposed renting a West End house for the accouchement, owing to the inconvenience of doctors and relatives journeying between London and White Lodge, Richmond Park, his Majesty strongly disapproved, expressing the wish that a child which might ascend the throne should not be born in a hired house. Lord Strathmore immediately placed his town house at the Duke and Duchess of York’s disposal.
Possible Queen
The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York’s baby has aroused nation-wide interest, partly owing to the Duchess’s unspoilt personality and partly because the baby becomes the fourth lady in the land.
The fact that the Home Secretary was summoned to Bruton street when the Duke of York’s baby was expected illustrates the importance of the event from the point of view of the Home Office, as the succession to the throne is the first in the male line, and at present the new Princess is the only child born to a son of the reigning Sovereign. Her position can only be modified by an issue of the Prince of Wales or the birth of a son to the Duke and Duchess of York.
The newspapers point out that if the Prince of Wales remains unmarried and the Duke and Duchess of York are without a son the baby may become the Queen of England, for which reason it is suggested that it should be named Elizabeth, Victoria, or Mary.
Widespread interest
The news of the birth came too late for most of yesterday morning’s newspapers. It was sent to Australia and New Zealand while most Londoners were still in bed. Consequently business girls and men passed the residence in Bruton street on their way to work not knowing of the event, but as the morning advanced the news spread, and crowds gathered, reinforced by an army of press photographers.
The early visitors included Miss Pryke, daughter of the Lord Mayor of London, who arrived in the civic coach. Intermingled in the procession of distinguished people who came later were two Sisters of Mercy and the old nurse of the Duchess.
Princess Mary arrived with a huge bunch of red carnations, supplementing a whole gardenful of flowers which were delivered in a few hours.
Royal rousing
The King and Queen were awakened between three and four o’clock yesterday morning, and were told of the birth of their first grand-daughter. They promptly sent their congratulations, and later in the day they motored from Windsor. The crowd cheered heartily as they entered the house in Bruton St, where they remained for half an hour. They saw the baby, who, says the Daily Telegraph, is apparently below the average weight but who is strong and healthy.— ODT, 23.4.1926
