Training Foreign Princes on English Lines-queen Helene's Defiance of Court Etiquette-home Life of the Tsar's Children-the Strictest Parent in Europe-the Late King Edward's Favourite

Grandson - "Jimmy."

There is much truth in the old saying, "the Prince exists for the sake of the State, not the State for the sake of the Prince" -a fact which the envious, thinking but of the privileges of Royal birth, are apt to overlook. They forget that from the moment a prince or princess is born the State assumes control of their lives, and that they are more often than not pawns in the games of politics and diplomacy.

European history, indeed, teems with instances of Royal children whose happiness has been sacrificed at the altar of duty. Very early in life princes and princesses learn that the freedom of action enjoyed by other children is denied them. Their friends are carefully chosen for them, while in the selection of a fife partner, Cupid is allowed to play no part unless the workings of love coincide with the machinations of State.

The Upbringing of Royal Children

This is particularly so in regard to the heirs of thrones, and although in this country practical-minded Royal parents like Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort, King Edward and Queen Alexandra, and King George and Queen Mary have always endeavoured, as far as possible, to place their children's happiness in the forefront, there have been times when it has been impossible to do so. At the same time, as will be learned by those who read the article on the children of King George and Queen Mary published in Every Woman's Encyclopaedia (page 1919), while Prince Edward and his brothers and sister are being brought up to a full understanding of the responsibilities and obligations of their position, their home life is that of a typical well-to-do English family. And the English method of training Royal children has for some years past been extensively copied in other courts of Europe.

To quote one facetious writer:

"It would be hard to say how many European Royalties have been rocked and soothed and syruped and slapped by English nurses." The Kaiser and his brother, Prince Henry, were brought up thus. And so were all the Kaiser's children. The Tsar has always had English nurses and governesses for his family, and so have the King and Queen of Italy, while King Emmanuel himself was brought up altogether "all' Inglese" - early morning runs, cold baths, physical exercises, and open windows in all weathers-all the things which Italians consider most mad, and, therefore, most English. For eight years King Emmanuel, in summer and winter, had to get up at six o'clock in the morning, begin lessons at seven o'clock, and he was kept occupied the whole day. Even during his nominal holidays he had to continue his studies all the same, and during the eight years' course of tuition, he was only twice or thrice late for seven o'clock lessons. And it was Queen Victoria who, in 1891, pronounced him to be "the most intelligent prince in Europe."

Umberto, Prince of Piedmont, the heir to the Italian throne. This little prince has been brought up on English lines, and is robust and intelligent

Photo, Guigoni & Bossi

Whether Prince Umberto, the heir to the Italian throne, who was born on September 15, 1904, will be brought up on-such Spartan lines remains to be seen. His grandmother, Queen Margherita, the Dowager Queen of Italy, who is passionately attached to the young Prince, is a firm believer in strict training for children, and more than once has remarked, "My son (King Emmanuel) has never caused me displeasure." A bright, sturdy little chap, the Prince of Piedmont pays the finest tribute in his health and development to the English mode of upbringing. When he was born, a British lady doctor was in attendance, and he had an English nurse, a Miss Dickens.

Princely Hospitality

His unaffected ways have made Prince Umberto extremely popular with his father's subjects. Both the King and Queen are noted for their democratic ways, and on the occasion, for instance, of Princess Yolanda's eighth birthday three hundred orphans were entertained in the palace gardens by the Royal children, who moved amongst their guests quite regardless of all class distinction. The Royal children were diligent hosts, Prince Umberto particularly. His guests had no reason to complain of a meagre repast. Indeed, he not only saw that they filled their stomachs, but also insisted that they should fill their pockets.

Princess Yolanda, too, ended by stuffing those whom she had taken under her care with food until her English governess had to interfere. When it was all over it was discovered that she had not had a crumb to eat herself. That night, as she was going to bed, she suddenly said, after thinking a long time: "It was a perfect day, but those English are very queer." "Why?" asked the Queen, suppressing a smile. "Well, Miss Dickens wouldn't let me give a cake to a poor little baby, and told me to eat it myself, as though," she ended quaintly, "I would take the bread out of the mouths of babes."

The Heir To At Roubledt Hronet2

There is only two months difference in the ages of Prince Umberto and the Grand Duke Alexis, the Heir-apparent to the throne of Russia, the latter being the elder, while the youngest daughter of the Tsar and Tsarina, the Grand Duchess Anastasia is four days younger than Princess Yolanda. It is not altogether a happy future which awaits the Russian Heir-apparent. Anarchy and revolution have darkened the happiness of his father and mother, and, unless reformation makes very rapid strides in that .