Kents to Quints

Mad as a wet hen was George V in 1935 when he offered Australia his third son, the roly-poly Duke of Gloucester, as Governor General, and Australia declined with thanks. A lot of trouble has turned up in the world since then, however, what with the Italians showing their muscle in the Mediterranean, the Germans down the Danube and the Japanese all over the Far East. It behooves the Empire to stand fast, and a great cementing gesture was made last week when George VI was graciously pleased to appoint H. R. H. the Duke of Kent to go out to Canberra in November 1939 and take over the job George V could not get for Gloucester.*

According to London's Sunday Express, swank couturiers who cater to the best-dressing Duchess of Kent promptly made plans to open branches in Australia. Bustling George Garcia, the Australian Chairman of Aspro Ltd. which sells Europeans half a billion headache tablets yearly, crowed: "I am elated. Australia has always been keen on the Royal Family. We want a governor general from outside the Dominion who can make unprejudiced decisions. The Duchess will appeal to Australians because she is beautiful and chic and a mother."

The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester are now touring in British Africa. Neville Chamberlain, in close collaboration with the Dominion Prime Ministers, is preparing to play every Empire drawing card from Kents to Quints. Dr. Dafoe announced last week that the five Wards of the King will be taught how to curtsy to royalty before Their Majesties arrive next Spring.

Canadian Prime Minister King was on a West Indies holiday last week, and Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir announced after the Prime Minister's return that a committee headed by Mr. King will begin to draft an itinerary to be followed by Their Majesties in North America.

* Only four members of the Royal Family have ruled Dominions: the Duke of Argyll and the Duke of Connaught were Governors General of Canada in 1878-83 and 1911-16 respectively; Prince Arthur of Connaught and the Earl of Athlone of South Africa in 1920-24 and 1924-31 respectively.

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