Duke of Orleans is ill; guarded in London

July 29. 1923

The Daily Express reports today (and sent by cable to the New York Times) that the Duke of Orleans, head of the royal house of France is "detained at Inverness Lodge, a spacious villa in Roehampton," which is a suburb of London. He has male attendants with him at all times, and he is suffering from delusions "and often has been in a wild delirium." The Express reports that that duke occasionally cries: "I am a prisoner here. I, the King of France, a prisoner."

The Duke had been a guest of Mrs. Charles Jarrott, at Oaklea at Wimbledon, when he was taken ill. An ambulance brought the Duke of Orleans to Inverness Lodge, where he underwent "special treatment." The Daily Express says the duke complained that he was brought to Inverness Lodge against his will. This is contradicted by an official statement released to the Express by the Duke's chief financial agent in England:

"The Duke contracted an infection of paludeena fever (malaria) during his resident travels in Africa. He was in poor health when he came from Brussels to London three months or so ago, hoping that the change would do him good. When he came to London, he stayed at Oaklea, Wimbledon. There he became much worse. The advice of eminent medical men in London and from Paris was sought and it was agreed among members of the Duke's family that he should receive special treatment."

The duke's doctors agreed that the treatment could not take place at Oaklea, so arrangements were made to move the patient to the fully furnished Inverness Lodge. All of the Duke's family has been kept in form of his condition. King George V has also been informed of the Duke of Orleans' condition. The Duke's nephew, former king Manoel II of Portugal traveled to England for "the express purpose of telling the King."

The Duke of Orleans was unconscious when he was brought to Inverness Lodge. The Duke's financial adviser says: "the duke of Orleans is doing much better. "I am glad to say that the Duke, under treatment, is now very much better. He still gets very tired but his attacks have been fewer."

The Duke of Orleans plans to return to Brussels in a few months if there is further improvement in his condition. His sister, Queen Amelia of Portugal, comes frequently to see him.