THE KING’S OFFER OF ROYAL PALACES

Some evident misapprehension exists concerning the offer by his Majesty of certain Royal Palaces to the nation for war purposes. There has not been a new or recent offer, but his Majesty long ago declared his willingness to place certain Royal residences at the disposal of the nation. The following statement is authorised:

“In August 1914, Kensington Palace and St. James’s Palace were offered by the King to the Red Cross, but both were found to be unsuitable for the purpose of a hospital, notably due to the absence of an efficient drainage system. In 1916, Balmoral was offered, first as a hospital, and, secondly as a convalescent home, but the fact that it could only be used for eight months in the year, and the great distance from London, proved insuperable objections to his Majesty’s offer.

“At the beginning of 1916 the question whether the State rooms at Buckingham Palace could be used in any way by the Red Cross was discussed, but the same difficulty with regard to the drains occurred. To make the Palace suitable it would have been necessary to build a separate entrance, so that the weekly investitures should not be interfered with. It having been reported to his Majesty that there was no existing further demand for beds for the wounded in London, the King came to the conclusion that the expense of creating an efficient drainage system, erecting lifts, and building a separate entrance could hardly be justified, and that it would be wiser for him to give a large subscription to the Central Committee of the Red Cross and Order of St John of Jerusalem instead. His Majesty accordingly gave the sum of £10,000 last year.

“The King has, however, made it clear to the Red Cross that in the event of there being any dearth of beds for the wounded in London he will be pleased to consider whether the State rooms at Buckingham Palace could not even now be converted into a hospital.

“While no use has been found for Balmoral, St James’s Palace is occupied by Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild, and the North of Ireland Association. Kensington Palace has been handed over to Lady Macdonnell for the Irish Regiments’ Comforts Fund. The question as to whether any apartments at present occupied by organisations supplying comforts to the troops, or even the State Apartments at Buckingham Palace, could be used for Government purposes, is still under consideration by his Majesty’s First Commissioner of Works, and there the matter stands for the present.

“The King’s sole anxiety in reference to these questions is, and has all along, been to do his best for the nation and the men of his fighting forces, and no considerations of personal convenience have been or will be entertained by his Majesty.”