The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-13
QUEENS PRIME MINISTER.
Duchess of BuccIeuch Mistress of thu
Robes Under Two Queens.

New Orleans Times-Democrat.
Few people have been buster of late than
the stately dame who Is Duchess OF Buc-
cleuch. AS mistress of the robes she mas
had her hands about full for some time
with the care of Queen AleXandra's ward
robe, not only for the coronation cere-
monies next June, but also for the series
of evening drawing rooms to be given
by the King and Queen during the year.
She is a sort Of prime minister Tor the
Queen.
The Duchess of Buccleuch-it is pro-
nounced Buc-lew not Buc-cluch-is one
of the greatest ladies in the kingdom. She
was three times mistress of the robes UNI
der Queen Victoria and was continued in
Office by the present Queen when she
came to the throne. AS the holder of this
exalted position, the duchess has author
ity over the several distinguished ladies
of the bed chamber, the bed chamber wom-
en- the maids of honor, and also two hlgn-
born male officials known respectively as
the groom and the clerk of the robes. Her
duties as head of this illustrious Staff
promise, however to be less onerous under
Queen Alexandra than with the late queen,
for whereas Queen Victoria always insisted
on being accompanied in all her movements
by a perfect swarm of titled lady attend
ants, her successor practically dlspenses
with the services of the maids of honor,
contenting herself with the society or her
friend, Miss KnOllyS.
The Duchess of Buccleuch not only has
duke for a husband, but one for father
and another for grandfather. Her father
of Ireland, who used to be known as "Old
Splendid" and her mother is the not less
famous dowager Duchess of Abercorn,
whose chief celebrity comes from the fact
that she has greater number OF titled de-
scendants than any other woman in Eng
land Six of her daughters married noble
men, one a duke and two marquises and
three earlS.
The duchess herself is called "the most
exclusive hostess in London" The enter
tainments given by her at MOntagu House,
the dukes mansion in Whitehall, are re-
nowned for their brilliance. As mistress OF
the robes il is the duchess's privilege TO
give a dinner to the members of the gov
eminent on the evening before the opening
of each Parliament. At court or at state
ceremonies, it is customary for her to dress
in black. Her Grace OF Duccleuch is noto-
riously much laughter and more dignified
than any of her titled sisters, but that does
not prevent the mistress of the robes from
being addressed by her intimate friends as
Tiny" although her Christian name is
Louisa.
If he didn't have so capable a wife the
Duke of Buccleuch probably wouldn't Ego
i'm for so much brilliant entertaining, for,
though he is one of the greatest of Scotch
-noblemen and has a tremendous rent roll,
he is much fonder of playing cricket than
of playing the host. He holds no position
at court and has never taken even politics
particularly seriously. His Grace is almost
as used TO be being beaten for Parliament
ing been trounced in so many parliament
tary elections that he bears the honorable
nickname of wandering Willy" The Duke
Of Buccleuch is really, however a rather
shy man except in one place-at Lords
cricket ground, his favorite resort-where
not duke and cheers the players like
baseball fan.