Evening star., 1963-05-02
BY PAT SALTONSTALL
Star Staff Writer

some call IL Lne olIIeTeIlCe
between professionals and
amateurs.
For others it's just "the
real thing"
Whatever its name, 1t was
here this week in the person
of Charlotte, Grand Duchess
Of Luxembourg. And it was
great.
Last evening at the end Of
the second Of two event-filled
days and after learning she
had become a grandmother
for the 23d time, this gentle
woman endeared herself for
ever to the 1,000-plus guests
she greeted at a reception at
the Army Navy Club in Ar
lington.
Used to the abrupt depar-
lures of other state visitors
who often stay barely long
enough to meet even the dip
lomatic chiefs, guests of Lux
embourg Ambassador and
Mrs. Heisbourg could scarce
ly believe that this slender
monarch and her son, Prince
Jean, stayed to meet each
before leaving.
Sharpening the image Of
graciousneSs was the fact
that both were eager to re-
turn to Blair House for long
distance calls to Luxembourg
to learn more details about
the birth Of a new son to
Prince Jean, Hereditary
Grand Duke, and his wife,
Princess Josephine Charlotte.
News of the birth Of his
new son and fifth child
reached the Prince after yes
terday's luncheon in honor
of President Kennedy. Not
even the baby's weight was
known last night. At a Blair
House press conference yes
terday afternoon, both Wis
itors said they hoped to talk
with the Princess later last
night.
The Grand Duchess was
another to discover the Ken
nedy capacity for being in
formed. She was "astonished"
by a presidential congratu-
lation on her new grandson
Just a short time later at the
4p.m. White House meeting.
A Great Lady
Elegance and ease, author
ity and humility, dignity and
simplicity-theSe and other
contrasts reside, in appar-
emily effortleSs harmony in
this one charming woman.
Stories Of quiet thoughtful
ness added final touches to
this picture of a great lady.
One concerned a member
of her household travelling
with her who wished 20 see
the White House. Yesterday,
during the afternoon meet
ing with the President, a Is
minute film Of the welcom-
ing ceremonies was shown
the delighted visitors. The
Grand Duchess quietly ar
ranged with Social Secretary
Letitia Baldrige for her
travelling companion to see
the White House during the
film showing. "a duplicate
film was given the visitors to
take home.)
Another story came from
a former World War II relief
director in Luxembourg. Mrs.
Alexander Gentleman. a New
York attorney who had di-
rected a State Department
relief project. told Of being
decorated for her work in
l949 by the Grand Duchess.
The two have kept in touch
ever since, and 1t was at the
request Of the Grand Duchess
that she and her husband,
Col. Gentleman (who called
himself "the only gentleman
in the Marine Corpse were
invited down TO last nights
reception. Mrs. Gentleman,
a noted divorce attorney. au-
thored the lead story on di-
vorce In a recent Saturday
Evening Post.
A young hostess who's had
TO learn fast the role of being
an ambassadors wife spoke
appreciatively OF the White
House state dinner the night
before. Mrs. william Rivkin,
wife OF the United States
Ambassador 10 Luxembourg,
went straight from being the
wife OF a Chicago attorney 10
her present life last Decem-
Der.
The Personal Touch
Noting what she called
Mrs, Kennedy's personal
touch" in the dinner decora-
tions and settings. she de-
scribed her own preparations
for embassy parties and the
personal touch which always
shows through, or is missed
II IL is omitted.
Mrs. Rivkin was Just one
who mentioned Mrs. Perle
Mesta, former Minister 10
Luxembourg who was Inn
mortalized In the musical,