SEVERAL hundred people gave the Duke and Duchess of York a ‘cordial reception’ when they arrived at the Royal Institute for the Deaf and Dumb in Glasgow’s West Regent Street in October 1932.

The royals were concluding a two-day visit to Glasgow with a visit not just to the institute but also to the Templeton’s carpet factory. They had been staying at Buchanan Castle, the guests of the Duke and Duchess of Montrose.

Reported the Glasgow Herald: “By a happy circumstance the visit of the [Yorks] coincided with the opening of a two days exhibition and sale of work for the purpose of raising funds, and they had a unique opportunity of viewing many articles made by deaf and dumb people resident in the area.” The sum of £200 was required for new furnishings in the building.

The Duchess was wearing a light grey broadtail coat collared with fox and a grey felt hat touched with pink and worn with a diamond clasp. She and the Duke both enquired about the methods of educating the deaf and dumb.

They were intrigued by the exhibition, and the Duchess accepted, on behalf of her daughters, Princes Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose, two small fireside stools made by members of the Deaf and Dumb Women’s and Girls’ Guild.

She also placed an order for one of the upholstered chairs on show. As the royals left, Deaf and Dumb Rovers, Scouts and Rangers, and Girl Guides (pictured), were on parade under the charge of Mrs E.H. Stanley Craig.

At Templeton’s, the couple inspected some historic carpets made by the firm, including sections of the carpet made for the baptismal ceremony of King Edward VII, in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.