Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Vanderbilt heiress for Prince George

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 September 10, 1923

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports on a rumor now making the rounds in London Society. There is a "strong possibility" that a marriage between Prince George,21, the youngest son of King George, and Miss Grace Vanderbilt, is about to be arranged.

Grace is the daughter of General and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt of New York. They are residing at Brook House, "a fine London mansion," and plan to stay in London "indefinitely." The Vanderbilts took Brook House to take part in the London Season. The "pretty and clever" Grace has been "popular in the most exclusive set of society." She is a friend of the Duchess of York, and has been "welcomed into the royal circle."

The Duke and Duchess of York and Prince George are frequent visitors to Brook House. All three were present for a ball given by Mrs. Vanderbilt at Brook House a few weeks ago, and the General and Mrs. Vanderbilt and Grace were guests of the king and queen aboard the royal yacht at Cowes during the racing week.

It is being said that the young couple "are really attracted to each other."

There is no doubt that King George V would approve of his son's marriage to an American heiress. The king is "fairly wealthy," but might find "difficulty in providing for his younger sons while leaving the heir with sufficient wealth to carry the deficit which the King of England must provide out of his provide income."

In New York, relatives of Miss Vanderbilt say they know "nothing of the engagement rumor."

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