Philante was taken in hand by the navy on 21 September 1939 for conversion at Portsmouth,[REF] and she served as HMS Philante (some sources use the prefix "HMY" for "His Majesty's Yacht") [REF].
After World War II a nationwide appeal was made for funds to purchase a yacht for the respected and ageing king, who had become a truly national symbol through his steadfast resistance against Nazi Germany.