GREAT BRITAIN: The Crown: Oct. 11, 1937

¶ At the direct command of King George, Home Secretary Sir Samuel Hoare issued three weeks ago a decree to end Britain’s orgy of touting for sale goods bearing the names or portraits of members of the Royal Family—a regrettable feature of the Coronation Year which is said to have highly displeased Queen Elizabeth. Manufacture of such trumpery was ordered to cease by midnight Dec. 31, 1937. Firms of sterling repute, long established in the discreet sale of teas, toffees and other products such as tobacco or whiskey named after members of the Royal Family, will of course not be interfered with by the Home Office, and the Cunard Line will be unmolested in continuing to call its flagship the Queen Mary. Shipping lines, Sir Samuel Hoare particularly intimated, may apply for permission to christen any suitable new liner with a Royal Family name.

¶ In Paris last week, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for War, Mr. Leslie (“Beacon”) Hore-Belisha became the first British Cabinet Minister to have the honor of audience with the Duke of Windsor, K. G. since the marriage of His Royal Highness. His Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Government, Mr. Hugh Lloyd Thomas, later gave a dinner for the Duke and Duchess who had busied herself all week buying Mainbocher gowns. Paquin furs, Georgette shoes, Suzy hats. Mr. Thomas H. Carter, Chief Clerk Accountant, to the Privy Purse Office of H.M. the King’s household, came to Paris to confer with H.R.H.

Correspondents were handed a communique: “His Royal Highness makes it known that he and the Duchess of Windsor are visiting Germany and the United States in the near future for the purpose of studying housing and working conditions in these two countries.

“The Duke of Windsor has always interested himself in the well-being of the workingman. He looks forward to opportunities that future travels to other countries may afford of gaining further experience on this subject.”

¶ At the Antique Dealers Fair in London last week Queen Mary stated that a pair of busts offered as “William Duke of Clarence and Princess Adelaide” were in fact “King George IV and Princess Charlotte.” Instanter they were retagged to correspond with the Queen Mother’s views.

At St. Andrews’ Royal and Ancient Golf Club last week the Duke of Kent “played himself in” as Captain, succeeding Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer. After a whack in which he drove his ball 60 yards, H.R.H. fished in his pocket for the traditional gold coin, handed this to the winner of a scrimmage by St. Andrews’ caddies to see which could retrieve the royal ball, win a gold sovereign worth $8.50.