Evening star., 1928-05-06
ny " r. ROBERTS
epsr;a7 Dispatch 10 The Star and Mort
American Newspaper Alliance


LONDON. May S.-The number o.
applications for invitations to attend
the oomins courts at Buckingham Pal
ace has broken all records. The total
is MOI than 500 in excess OF last year,
Since 1924 the applications for nvi-
tationS 70 attend court or to be pre-
Sente6 have been rapidly increasing.
The reason is fairly obvious
In 1924 there was a Labor govern
nlent in power, for the first time Now
the wives OF cabinet ministers. by virtue
Of their husbands position as ministers
OF the crown. have the right not only
10 attend court but 10 present ladies' al
court
II is stating a simple fact TO say that
the wives of the cabinet ministers IN
the Labor government. no matter how
charming, would. with a few excep-
tions-Mrs. Sidney Webb. for instance
IN the normal way never have been pre-
SenteS at court or have acquired the
right 10 make presentations, except that
their husbands had become ministers
Of the crown.
Ladies Exercise Right.
These ladies exercised their unoouhteo
right. They not only eftenoeo the
Official duties. but they presented q
number of ladies who in the ordinary
way would never have been presented
st court. Now these ladies, in their
turn. once having been presented at
court. become possessed OF the right 10
present others.
In 1928. the year before the advent
cf the Labor government 20 power.
court gown cost at the lowest estimate
so gllineas. Today there are special
lines" Of cheap court gowns at prices
ranging upward from Ei2l2.o, little
more than $50, about fifth of the for
mer minimum.
This alone indicates that class once
debarre6 by economic conditions, apart
entirely from the question of social
position. are now attending the courts.
The policy Of King George and
Queen Mary is 10 encourage large at
tendance at the courts. and this policy
is distinctly supported by the Prince OF
wales, the most democratically minded
prince England has ever known.
The rule their majeStieS laid down in
1925 was this. No properly accredited
applicant for an iRvitation to attend a
court must il possible. be refused. This
rule neceSsitated speeding up of the
time allowed for each presentation. In
Queen VictoTia'S reign at the afternoon
drawing rooms three minutes were
allowed. King Edward cut the time to
two minutes. In 1925 ii was cut 70 one
minute.
Try Two q Minute.
This wear the question arose Gould
two preSenta tons be made IN one min
ute9" A rehearsal was held 10 deter
mine this. II was attended BY Queen
Mary. She decided that to speed up
the time in that way would detract
from the dignity of the ceremony and
would neceSSitate q quicker curtSey to
the throne that could be made grace
fully except by quite young and active
people II was therefore decided TO hold
an additional court
There is real concern at Buckingham
Palace lest the crowded courts cheaper
and lower the whole dignity of the ceTe-
monies
The buffet supper was necessary TO
provide a supper for large number OF
people after the presentation. But the
spectacle OF crowds Of young debutanteS
attired in rather cheap court gowns
eating sandwiches and Quafnng cham
payne cups at a "stand-up" supper is
something that would have rather hor-
rified the late King, TO say nothing Of
Queen Victoria.
II the number OF invitations 10 at
teno the courts conts Tue 10 increase. II
VIII soon cease 20 be social distine-
tion 10 receive one And If such state