Son's Return

Rehearsal. In London the return of Edward of Wales from his South American tour was preceded by a series of quaint yet vital doings. British Life Guards in full uniform and mounted on night-black charges cantered bravely to Victoria Station, wheeled through its gloomy archway, and drew up with a flashing salute before a strip of red carpet down which the Prince was not destined to march for another 24 hours.

Came two grave silk-hatted mummers who marched with thoroughgoing dignity. Impersonating not only the Prince but the entire Royal Family, they quitted the station and seated themselves in two wagons representing the imperial landaus. Ceremoniously they were driven to Buckingham Palace by exactly the same route which the royal party was to follow next day.

On the sea meanwhile Captain Hope of the British cruiser Repulse was putting on all speed at the command of Edward of Wales. The Prince, it seemed, had learned that one of the ship's operators was in a hurry to reach England in time for his father's funeral. Britons glowed at this new proof of their Prince's infallible democracy.

Airplanes swooped, sirens screamed, salutes boomed out, the Repulse steamed into Portsmouth. There Edward was met by two of his brothers, the Duke of York and Prince Henry, whom he greeted with a cheerful "Hullo, fellows!" and by "notables" whom he would have dodged if he could. Came a train whose engine bore the triple cockade of Wales, and whisked him Londonwards.

En route the Prince changed from naval togs into a full Guard uniform, clapped a great black busby on his head, and allowed his scarlet tunic to be adorned with the blue ribbon of the Garter and almost obscured beneath a layer of the stars and decorations which he favors most.

At Victoria Station he was met by the King, the Queen, the Duke of Connaught, Princess Mary, Viscount Lascelles and the Duchess of York. Behind them waited Premier Baldwin and most of his Cabinet, the Lord Mayor of London and many another.

Stepping from his train, the Prince kissed the King's hand formally, started to greet Queen with equal formality and suddenly embraced his mother instead.

Came the two royal landaus and Edward of Wales was whirled off through a drizzly rain and an ovation unprecedented even for him. On the balcony at Buckingham Palace his perennial "shyness" was again observed; many Britons would have pledged their hearts blood that his uneasy fussing with the busby was genuine nervousness.

Said King George in an official statement: "The warm-hearted affection of the welcome given our son in London today greatly added to the joy and thankfulness which the Queen and I feel for his safe homecoming. His return marks the completion of his missions to different dominions of the Empire, undertaken six years ago, including visits to the United States and South America."

Commented The Spectator, famed conservative weekly review: We suggest that when the Prince has had the rest which he richly deserves ... he might strike a balance between dignified isolation and the 'hail-fellow-well-met attitude' by attaching himself to some public cause . . . [and] by the regular application of his energies put an end to any false notion that he desires to live a butterfly existence."