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Duke of York - Order of the Equatorial Shave
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Duke of York - Order of the Equatorial Shave
The Duke and Duchess of York left London on 6th January 1927 to head to Australia to open the new Parliament Buildings at Canberra They sailed on HMS Renown, a battle-cruiser. On February 2nd 1927, Renown crossed the Equator. The Officers on board refused to accept the Dukes plea that he had crossed on a liner going to Africa and he suffered all of the warship ceremonial! Here, the Giant Razor waits to complete the work of Neptunes distemper brush, after which he will be granted the title of Old Sea Dog! Date: 1927
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Media ID 20163331
© Bubblepunk / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Brush Canberra Ceremonial Ceremony Crosses Crossing Deck Equator Facing Giant Journey Official Opening Parliament Razor Renown Sixth Trip Warship 1927 Albert Battle Cruiser Distemper Neptunes
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this striking photograph, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, later King George VI, and his Duchess, Elizabeth, are seen seated on the deck of HMS Renown during their voyage to Australia in 1927. The Duke and Duchess had embarked on a state visit to open the new Parliament Buildings at Canberra on January 6th, 1927. The journey was made on the battle-cruiser HMS Renown. As the ship crossed the Equator on February 2nd, 1927, the officers on board refused to acknowledge the Duke's claim that he had previously crossed the Equator on a liner bound for Africa. Consequently, the Duke was subjected to the traditional naval ceremony of crossing the Equator for the first time. In the image, the Duke and Duchess are surrounded by sailors in various stages of the ceremony. The Giant Razor, a symbolic figure representing Neptune's punishment for those who have not yet crossed the Equator, waits to complete the work of Neptune's distemper brush. Once this ritual is completed, the Duke will be granted the title of "Old Sea Dog." The Duke and Duchess are dressed in formal attire, with the Duke wearing a naval uniform and the Duchess in an elegant dress and hat. The sun-drenched deck of the ship and the clear blue sea in the background add to the sense of adventure and tradition surrounding this significant moment in their journey.
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