The Washington times., 1919-01-19
The Marquis Of
Anglesey, Whom
the Princess
Wanted to Marry
Before the War
But Couldn't
Because He Wasn't
of High Enough
Rank.

of High Enough
Rank.
1t is understood that an ef-
fort viii be made to relieve
the embarrassing situation
somewhat by making Com
mander Ramsay a peer on
his wedding day. Thus we
may never read about Her
Royal Highness Princess
Patricia, Mrs. Ramsay" but
perhaps Her Royal High
ness Princess Patricia, Coun-
tess of Gallipol," which
would sound grander. She would still,
however, outrank her husband. English
men can remember that when Queen Vic
toria's daughter married the highborn
though not royal Marquis of Lorne the
Court Circular always spoke of "Her Royal
Highness Princess Louise, Marchioness of
Lorne." and mentioned the Marquis second
or not at all.
Before the war it would have been in
conceivable that a royal princess so near
to the throne as Princess Patricia could
become engaged to an untitled person.
The official announcement states that
King George gladly gives his consent" to
the marriage of his cousin with Com
mander Ramsay. 1t should be explained
that under British law member of the
royal family cannot be legally married
without the consent of "the King in
Council"
The engagement means many things. 1t
opens the realm of romance to British
princes and princesses, who have hitherto
been excluded from the happiest expert
ence of common mortals. 1t means that
their marriages will not be planned for
them for reasons of state" that they will
not be compelled to marry persons OF royal
birth or the mate of highest rank obtain
able by scbeming diplomats.
1t means that even the Prince of Wales,
the heir to the throne may choose wife
for himself from the ranks of non-royal
humanity, may perhaps choose an Amer
ican bride. The possibility of this has
..
But peculiar interest lies in the newly
announced engagement on account of the
personality of Princess Patricia. There is
probably no princess in Europe to-day who
is so interesting and so attractive. Tall,
athletic, blue-eyed, with wealth of light
brown hair, the Princess is a splendid ex-
ample of English womanhood. She is
noted for her wit and good sense, as well
as for beauty and athletic accomplish
mentS
The disposition of such a princess. one
might almost say "the SALE" in matrimony
was an affair that kings and diplomats in
other days would have eagerly busted
themselves with.
The planning of royal marriages for
Princess Patricia was. An fact, a favorite
occupation with the ruling classes up to
four years ago. Practically every unmar-
ried king of that period sought the hand
of the Princess.
Most conspicuous of her suitors was
King Alfonso of Spain. Several members
of the British royal family, including King
EDWARD and the Princess's father, and va
rious British statesmen sought earnestly to
bring this MARRIAGE about, believing that
1t would give England valuable influence
in Spain.
The young King paid visit to Windsor
Castle and courted the Princess with much
assiduity. Il is generally recognized that
hlng Alfonso is brave, agreeable and
klnd-hearted man, but certainly he is not
handsome. The defects of a long line of
unhappy and erring ancestors are too