DUCHESS OF YORK.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17015, 31 January 1927, Page 4

DUCHESS OF YORK.

FURNISHING THE RENOWN. CHOOSES HOMELY STYLES. For the second time in her brief career, the One battle-cruiser, Benown, lias been turned into a rpyal yaoht. And this time tho transformation was wrought at so small a cost that it must be about tho cheapest job of the kind over done. A minimum of expenditure in equipping her for the royal tour was possible because she has served as a temporary royal yacht before and because the Duke and Duchess of York required nothing special to be done for them.

As some of tho cabins normally used by officers arc needed for members of the suite of the Duke and Duchess, a few temporary cabins are being built for officers thus unhoused. Beyond this the Renown remains just a warship—and nothing more, Designed as a flagship, although never used as one, the Renown possesses admiral’s apartments. That solved tho problem of accommodating the Duke and Duchess x quite easily Thoy have taken over these apartments for their own use and the Duchess has had them furnished as she wishes, Tho apartments comprise two largo cabins with sleeping cabin and bathroom attached and lie aft overlooking the quarter deck,

Tho Duchess selected the after cabin for her own use; the fore cabin will be the dining-room. She has decided upon a quite simple scheme of furnishing. The interior walls of the apartments are to bo enamelled plain white, The Duchess has retained the ordinary naval furniture, adding to it a few articles from the royal stores. For her own rooms she has chosen a mole-coloured carpet; blue cretonne window curtains and blue cretonne looso coverings for the chairs and settees, For tho fore cabin also she lias adopted blue cretonne curtains and coverings. The dominating note throughout the royal quarters will be one of neat, homely comfort without display or elaboration.

By lifting out the quick-firing guns mounted on the roof of the royal apartments this roof is being converted into a small promenade deck where receptions’ can he held at the various ports of call.

It is necessary to employ a warship for visits to the Dominions, as the royal yacht Victoria and Albert is unsuited to long voyages. When the King and Queen made their first Empire voyage some 20 odd years ago the liner Ophir was chartered for them. But when they went to India they chose, a warship, which was likewise called the Renown. Employing a warship for these royal trips effects great economy. Besides our overseas kindred like to see the King’s representatives go to them in the King’s ships. Interest in the Navy is far keener in the other inarches of the Empire than it is in the Mother Country.