Rumours of Cancellation of Royal Tour are Emphatically Discounted

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 November 1948, Page 5

Rumours of Cancellation of Royal Tour are Emphatically Discounted

(From E. G. Webber, Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, Nov. .1 (Rec. 7.10). —Suggestions that the Royal tour of Australia and New Zealand next year may be cancelled because of the international situation are emphatically discounted here.

There appears to be no basis whatever for rumours that the Admiralty has considered the need for retaining the battleship Vanguard in home waters. On tlie contrary, as soon as the ship returns from her present shakedown cruise to Malta final preparations for the tour will be completed. There has been no change in the details of the itineraries as already announced and the King is non considering details of Hie time-table for the departure from London. This will probably closely follow arrangements made when Their Majesties and the two Princesses left for South Africa, last year. It- has not yet been decided whether the Royal Party will

drive in State carriages from Buckingham Palace to Waterloo Station; where they will entrain for Devonport, or whether they will use ears, but in view of the fact that they will be departing in mid-winter a carriage drive is doubtful. In either event the Sovereign’s Escort of Household Cavalry will probably ride with the Royal Party from the Palace to Waterloo.

The Vanguard is at present scheduled Io sail from Devonport at. high tide about I p.m. on January 27.

Neither the Queen nor Princess Margaret has yet finalised any details of wardrobes for the tour, though the firms of Norman Hartnell and Molyneux, which have been commissioned by the Queen and the Princess, are at present preparing designs. These are not likely to be completed and approved for several weeks. 'The Panamanian Government invited the King and Queen and Princess Margaret Io spend two days ashore when Hie Vanguard passes through tlie Canal, lint it

is unlikely that it will be possible to accept the invitation in full. Their Majesties and Hie Princess may, however, go ashore briefly 1o be received by the President of the Republic. The first of the five Vikings of the King’s Flight will leave for New Zealand from the Benson R.A.F. station, Oxfordshire, on Novemb'er 15. Brigadier Nortnau Gwatking, assistant - comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain’s Department, who recently returned from a visit io Australia and New Zealand, will travel with it and will act as adviser on ceremonial matters and liaison officer for the tour.

In addition to his secretaries and the Master of the Household, the King will take with him his personal valet, Jerrain, ami four or five of tlie Royal pages and footmen froiu Buckingham Palace. Four Royal Marine sergeants from the Vanguard complement will also be attached as Royal orderlies. The Queen’s dresser, Miss Q. Willoek, will lie another of tlie Royal attendants.