ROYAL HOME BY SEA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 5

ROYAL HOME BY SEA

First Alterations For 200 Years (“Dominion” Special Service—By Air Mail.) London, January 12. A race against time is going on at Compton Place, the Eastbourne mansion in which the King and Queen are to stay in the near future. The Queen, after her visit of inspection in October, decided on internal improvements. Workmen are now hurrying to finish the alterations. Sir Derek Keppel, Master of the King’s Household, visited Compton Place this week to see how the work was going. The alterations are principally of a structural nature, and involve the conversion of three bedrooms into bathrooms. This suggestion was made by the Queen herself. The remaining bedrooms are being redecorated, but neither- the imposing reception rooms nor the exterior of the mansion are being touched. The Flemish tapestry room, where Don Quixote is shown in his encounter with the windmill, will be left as it is. It is more than 200 years since workmen in force inVaded the mansion, which was built in Queen Elizabeth’s time. The last extensive alterations were made in 1728 by Sir Spencer Compton, who enlarged it on Georgian lines. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, -who lived at Compton Place 14 years ago, will probably spend a few nights there toward the end of the month. The alterations will not be completed by then, but they wish personally to approve them before the King and Queen arrive. The 30 acres of lawns and flower beds already show promise of early spring blooms. The jasmine, clematis and roses which climb up the entrance walls to the Royal bedroom have begun to send out tiny green shoots.