The Henson Journals

[133]

Monday, April 12th, 1920.

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At breakfast there was rather an interesting discussion about the decorations which have been so freely distributed. The number has now become embarrassingly great; & the selection of individuals presents an almost insoluble problem. A ludicrous, probably apocryphal story was related of a lengthy list for the Military Medal which, when investigated, turned out to be a list of men ordered to be vaccinated!

I came away from the Castle pleased with the recollection of a very agreeable visit, & withal overwhelmed with the pathetic sense of the insecurity of all that Windsor stands for. The King's conception of his rôle as a constitutional Sovereign is so modest that it is difficult to imagine the situation in which he wd "stand up" to a popular movement. [He was very emphatic in asserting his opinion that the King of Denmark had made a mistake in his recent action. He had just written as much to his brother–in–law, the King of Norway.] The mere financing of Windsor is becoming a grave difficulty. The Queen spoke very frankly about the enormously increased expenditure on wages. "Of course, like everybody else, we can't keep things up: we have reduced the establishment in order to pay the higher rates." Will the monarchy in England just die of financial inanition?

The weather was so wet & gloomy that I abandoned my projected visit to the photographer, & went to the hairdresser instead. Then I caught the 4.20 p.m. train at Victoria, and arrived at Birchington at 7 p.m. Marion was on the platform to meet me. I found Carissima cheerful but very white and frail.

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