DUKE OF YORK.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 20 December 1926, Page 4

DUKE OF YORK.

VISIT TO AUSTRALASIA. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 18. With shining silver grey outside, and monotone blue cretonne inside, H.M.S. Renown will be the most modest Royal ship yet commissioned. It was their Majesties wish to use wherever possible the apartments erected for the Prince of Wales’s last cruise. The Duchess’s womanly mind adapted her ideas thereto, with the happiest results. She has personally directed the layout of the furnishings, choosing as supplementaries, articles made in the Navy’s vocational school.

The apartments have been wholly painted. The unrelieved white armchairs, settees and windows, have been blue cretonned, and the floors light carpeted, except in the Royal diningroom, where rugs cover the black-stained floor.

The Royal apartments are situated on the after and upper deck, exactly the same as used by the Prince of Wales. They consist of sittingroom, fitted with wireless, diningroom, sleeping saloon, with ordinary bedsteads and bathroom. There are very few pictures, and then mostly the natural choice of the mother mind, namely, various photographs of the baby Princess Elizabeth, with the addition of pictures of Royalties.

When the Renown is in the heat i the tropics, the Royal couple will sleep in the bridge charthouse, which has been fitted specially for the purpose.

There will be not only the Band of the Royal Naval School, to provide music aboard, but a navy jazz band for the dances en route, while for ceremonial purposes, the Royal marines famous war memorial silver bugles will be used. This will be ihe first time they have ever been loaned.

The force of marines will be augmented to supply guards of hon-

With the exception of ths Duke’s valet and the Duchess's maid, the staff will consist of naval men, including special cooks, launderers, and even up-to-date hairdressers. Punctually at one o’clock on the afternoon of January 6, the Royal Standard will be hoisted at the masthead, and four destroyers will lead the battle cruiser through the lines of saluting, cheering warships, en route to Las Palmas.