Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-18
Preserved Consort's Rooms.


elapsed since the embellishments and
additions. which had dragged their slow
lengths through three rdgns. were com
pleted In 1851, Windsor Castle had un-
dergone but little alteration. either ex-
tertorly or interiorly With that fidelity
Of memory which distinguished Queen
Victoria, she had preserved the rooms
occupied by the prince consort just as
he had left them at the time Of his death.
These rooms, the only ones, by the way.
of any size in the private suite, were
entirely redecorated after King Edward
came TO the throne. In Queen Alex
andra's apartments. all OF modest di-
replaced the esthetc upholstering of VIC
torian days.
Much that had commended itself to
her late majesty's taste no longer har-
monized with modern ideas. and many
q product Of mid-Victorian art was con-
signed to oblivion. On the other hand.
King Edwards quest throughout his vast
treasure house brought to light many a
priceless object of vertu which had lain
forgotten for century or more. Yet
homely objects Of no intrinsic value. the
aged queens armchair and the little ia
bles which held her coffee cup and knit
ting, King Edward never allowed to be
moved from their place in the long cor
ridor. where she had been wont to sit
after dinner.
With the beginning Of the new reign
Windsor Castle woke from Its sleep
and became once more the scene of
royal entertaining. Princes and po-
tentates succeeded one another as the
guests Of the sovereign, and the au-
tumn visits of the foreign crowned heads
were marked by the splendid hospital
ity which made the English court
famous throughout Europe. The
command" performance of some play
in vogue was great feature on these
occasions and where other sovereigns
. .INvac vu-ft VNrnU n IN a
or two artistic stars, the King Of Eng
land transported whole companies
from his capital to his castle for the
entertainment Of his guests.
Made Splendid Setting.
The Waterloo gallery made a mar
velous setting for these olympian d.
versions. and on such nights tho royal
host, genial and debonnair. but with
that dignity of manner which was all
the more impressive for being natural
| and not assumed. had an appropriate
| word for all. ST Georges Hall. where
| supper was served. was a gorgeous
sight, the world famed gold plate blaz-
ing under a thouand lights on buffets
| at either end of the room. The king
and queen and their royal guests sat
! ter Of the hall, and the general COM
| pany disposed itself around at smaller
| tables. Monster battues in Windsor
! Great Park occupied the daylight
| hours It is said that the King Of
Englands preserves are never poached.
| but whether this is attributable to the
| loyalty Of the poachers or the vigilance
| Of the keepers 1t is impossible to say.
Magnificent as were the festivals incl
dental to the exchange OF kingly cour-
tesies the Ascot so1ourns of the court at
| Windsor has q special charm. State for
mality was tempered by a certain in
| formality, and etiquette, although never
| entirely banished from courtly circles. be-
| came q little less rigid. One Ascot. q
royal bali, the first to take place since
| the death Of the prince consort. was
given at the castle. and fair women and
brave men. the flower of the British aris-
| tocracy, assembled there. King Edward.
| in the stately and becoming frock dress
| and the diamond garter at his knee. led
the royal ouadrille with his daughter-in-
| law. while Queen Alexandra had her son
| for partner.
| To Play Prominent Part.
| Windsor In tho reign Of George v will