Sep 8, 2008, 11:00 GMT
Britain's Prince Andrew takes an ironing board with him on trips abroad.
The Duke of York - who has previously been criticised for taking a set of golf clubs on overseas visits to promote British business - reportedly entrusts his valet, who accompanies him on his travels to ensure his clothes are always neatly pressed and clean, with the board.
Baggage handlers at London's Heathrow airport spotted the unusual item - which is said to have been in royal service for at least five years and bears the HRH stamp - when the duke flew to Vietnam from the airport on Friday (05.09.08).
A source told Britain's The Daily Telegraph newspaper: "The baggage handlers could not believe their eyes. They see a few weird things in their work but the Duke of York taking an ironing board on a flight... Well, that was a first!"
The duke - who is completing a six-day visit to Vietnam and Singapore in his role as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment - arrived at the airport amid torrential rain, and was reportedly unhappy a member of staff did not meet him with an umbrella to take him to the VIP area.
He used the back entrance of Terminal five and reversed his Range Rover car onto the pavement to ensure he got close to the entrance without getting wet.
The source added: "The ironing board cheered us up no end even if it did not do very much for duke's sense of humour."
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