Philip’S Role

How He Impressed The Islanders

IN all this “publicity,” not enoui has been said about the ps taken by the Duke of Edinburg in this unprecedented Royal vii to the South Sea Islands. Psych logically, his role has been of ir mense importance.

Traditionally, Islanders associa

kingship with leadership, aj

leadership with strength. They e pect their rulers to be big, stro< and dominating.

Queen Elizabeth II is slender a;, petite—a woman so lovely and we: poised as to bring gasps of admin tion from the crowds—but she only 5 ft 4 in, in height, and not t; Islanders’ idea of a ruler. Arnoi the big, uniformed men who most; greeted her in Fiji and Tonga s; appeared quite small.

Had she been alone, that migj have been an embarrassing fact*.

But, on practically every importai occasion, her husband was eith beside her or just behind her le shoulder. He is everything t: Islanders look for in kingship—tas splendidly proportioned, dignifii and, on native as well as Europe* standards, very handsome. He every way complemented the grao ous and attractive young Queenr together, in native eyes, they wes the ideal of Royalty. Elizabeth I with Philip, has been accepted witl; out reservation as their Queen.

The only complaint—if compiaii it could be termed —was that tl; people did not have more oppoc tunities of hearing Philip who, speech and subject-matter, is alma as attractive as the Queen. But I kept himself consistently in tl; background quiet, dignifiu amiable, and a perfect foil for tl; lovely little lady whom he so can fully shields and supports. He ga T j a clear impression of strength an character—l think the world hear much more of Philip in tH; future. —Special Correspondent.