The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-08
SOCIAL EFFECT OF
THE KINGS DEATH
New Queen Will Not Favor
Those of Edwards Court
LEADERS FACE A CRISIS
Mrs. George keppel and Several AmerI-
can Peeresses VIII Not BE So
Prominent In Society of
England Now
LEADERS FACE A CRISIS
BY LADY MARY MAINwARING

London, May 7.-(SpeciaI)- Without
impugning the national grief over King
EDWARDS death with lightness social cir
cles have already begun to discuss the
tremendous influence which the Kings
death will have upon the arstocratic
society OF London. King Edwards So
ciai favorite. Mrs. George Keppel, who
was the social arbiter during his reign,
| faces the crisis In her social career and
the American women who have married
into noble families may also be crushed
in the fall of the old regime
King Edward was extremely fond of
the young American peeresses. He made
no secret of his liking for American
women, and a present instance was
shown in his recent acceptance of an
invitation to attend the wedding of Wis
count Maidstone to Miss Drexel of Phila-
delphia, next month.
Queen Mary, wife of King George V
is known as a woman of strong mind,
and, being young her natural inclination
| is to dominate society in court circles
herself without delegatings this great
| power to an outsider. With Queen Alex
andra it was different. She cared little
Tor society and was willing that another
should rule.
1t is quite possible that the fabric of
the social arbiter of King Edwards rule
| will fall, and with it will go into OBJ
security number of women who have
become famous through royal favor. AT
the> present time Mrs. Keppers new mil
lion-dollar residence in Grosvenor Square
is nearing completion and its mistress
| had planned that it should house the
grandest functions in England. It's social
affairs were to outrank those of Buck
ingham palace. At this time, however,
the future of the Keppel palace is
doubtful.
| Among the American women who have
been favored by King Edward are the
| Duchess of Roxburghe, Lady Granard
tho Duchess of Marlborough, and many
others. Especially interested was his
lato majesty in Lady Granard, and he
attended at the Granard residence a
number of social affairs.
The attitude of the new king toward
| the Americans is not definitely under-
stood. but there can be no doubt of his
| hostility toward Mrs Keppe. King
| George was annoyed that his father
should delegate the powers to Mrs KEEP
| mel that he did Why this hostility ex-
ists in such a marked degree is not
| exactly known, but evidences OF 1t have
been shown too often for misunderstood
| ing.
| The Duchess of Marlborough, in dis
| cussing the death of King Edward with
one of her guests remarked:
.King Edward was man or such
| shining qualities that he would nave
ranked as the first gentleman of the
lane had he not been King. His social
| tact, his intuitive diplomacy and his
kindness were marked. He was broad
minded and catholic in his views
Mrs. Keppel has been at her London
residence since the late King fell i'll. she
was guest at the last dinner attend
ed by King Edward. Mr.. Keppel visited
Buckingham palace yesterday, but Mrs.
Keppel remained at home.
Mrs Keppel is seriously affected by
the news of the monarchs death Aside
from her social prestige she has accu-
mulated an enormous fortune through
tips on the stock market given her
by millionaire Americans who sought
her aid for royal entry.
Queen Mary has not spoken to MRS.
Keppel In ten years. . But this hostility
mad no effect on King Edward, for he
had promised to attend the coming out
party of Violet Keppel, Mrs. Keepers
daughter. Mrs. Keppel Is a strikingly
bea utiful matron, not having attained
middle age.