April 7, 1926
The Chicago Tribune is "informed on good authority" that a "first-class row has blown up in Buckingham Palace over the selection of a future queen."
King George V and Queen Mary have been urging their eldest son, the Prince of Wales to marry, and "both have made efforts to select a wife." The prince says he is in no hurry, and "he insists on selecting a bride for himself."
The Prince of Wales has told his parents that he wants to marry Lady May Cambridge, the daughter of the Earl of Athlone, and Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone. According to the news report, the Prince's choice is the "cause of the family trouble."
Queen Mary is said to be "anxious to see her own niece succeed her as queen," and she is encouraging the romance. Despite his fondness for Lady May, King George opposes the match because she is "barred by the table of consanguinity which the king had prepared some years ago by the royal physicians and to which he attaches great importance."
Lady May and the Prince of Wales are first cousins as Queen Mary and Lord Athlone are brother and sister. They are also first cousins once removed as King George V and Princess Alice are first cousins.
It is being suggested that Queen Mary "does not like the prospect of the Duchess of York, who is not of royal blood," as a future Queen Consort.
King George V & Princess Alice were first cousins and Queen Mary & Earl Athlone were sister & brother. Add to that that Lady May had a 50% chance of being a haemophilia carrier and this "romance" was well and truly best left go. Inbreeding doesn't get much better than all that!
ReplyDeletethere was never a romance, let alone a chance of marriage
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