Birthday suit

I was intrigued to read in your article on Foster's Scottish Oddities (3 May) that the registration of the birth of Princess Margaret Rose was delayed to avoid landing on line 13 of the register.

My father was editor of the Angus Herald at the time of Princess Margaret's birth.

He was fond of telling how the registrar, in anticipation of the birth and meeting the illustrious parents, had ordered a new suit – bespoke, as nearly all suits were in those days. He wore it from the day after the birth. A fortnight passed and he was asked to allow an extension to the period in which registration should take place. This was obviously granted to the ducal couple.

By the time the parents finally came to the registry office the fine new suit, if not actually shabby, was somewhat more rumpled than the proud registrar had hoped. I don't think my father ever knew of the true reason for the delay.

SINCLAIR DUNNETT

Culduthel Road

Inverness