Page:T.R.H., the Prince and Princess of Wales by Whates, Harry Richard.djvu/24

The Prince of Wales. years old, in the August of 1871, he spent a very happy holiday at Rumpenheim, where Queen Alexandra had herself spent so many bright days in her childhood. On this occasion, as indeed throughout these early years, Prince George of Wales and Princess May of Teck were much thrown together; and it is not too much to say that the children of the Heir-Apparent and of his much-loved cousin, Princess Mary were practically brought up together. The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Teck shared to a great extent the same views on the nurture of children, neither of them at all agreeing with the modern idea of delegating to nurses and governesses those duties and responsibilities which rightly belong to the mother.

It is impossible to write any account of Prince George's early life without constant reference to his elder brother. A strong and touching bond of affection and trust bound the two Princes, and, perhaps because the younger of the two had admittedly a larger share of natural ability and energy, little or no difference was ever made between them. Together they did their first lessons, their letters being taught them as tiny children by their own mother;