DUCHESS OF NORFOLK

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20500, 17 May 1938, Page 3

DUCHESS OF NORFOLK

AN HEIR EXPECTED GREAT PREPARATIONS MADE England’s youngest duchess, wife of England’s premier duke. Is deeply engrossed In that most absorbing of occupations a young wife can have—the preparations for her Ural baby. In the historical inns near Arundel, Sussex, where the Duke of Norfolk ■ has hi-s ancient home, there is only on*' topic of conversation just now. and that is the celebrations which will take place when the young duke's first child is born—probably in the late spring. it is 20 years since the last baby was born In the castle: that was the present duke, England's Earl Marshal. who married Miss Lavinla Strutt In January last year. The duchess Is 22. and is greatly beloved of the Sussex folk on her husband's estates and In the neighbouring towns, villages and hamlets. Already at stately Arundel Castle the nursery is complete. First-floor

apartments have been modernised, and decorated in pastel shades, fitted with modern bathrooms, linen rooms, airing cupboards, and provided with a new system of lighting. One of the rooms In which the expected baby will spend his or her days has been decorated in blue, th% duch-•s-'s favourite colour, and a happy augury, Arundel people think, for the birth of an heir . . blue for a boy, pink for a girl, they are telling each other. In London, where the duke and duchess have taken a new house—l 4, Belgrave Square—a night nursery has been decorated and furnished on tlie top floor, while a day nursery on fhc second floor lias been prepared next the duchess’s boudoir. “The duchess is in excellent health.'' *>aid one of her friends. “But she is naturally taking things quietly. Country walks and Msits to friends in the vicinity of Arundel occupy most of her time. But she is also doing quite a lot of preparatory needlework