You seem to have spent rather a pleasant autumn – I spent the time entirely at Glamis, entertaining a series of guests, some were nice and some were NOT. Some were funny; one person who amused me was a gentleman called Mr James K. Hackett, the American actor. I don’t know quite why he came. I [have] never seen a man drink so much – little drops all day long, that’s the road to ruin – ah well. I am coming to London the week after next I think, so perhaps you will come and have a small drink (to help you on the downward path) on your way home from work. I am here now as a matter of fact, but only for a day or so, & I’ve got to go to a ball at Wilton, which rather terrifies me, as I hear the party numbers 48. Isn’t it AWFUL?
I feel so sorry for some people we know, don’t you? Perhaps you don’t know who I mean, but I feel sorry for the poor man. How can you know who I mean?!!
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Lyon
Friday undated [1922] to D’Arcy Osborne
Glamis Castle
Dear Mr Osborne
I must tell you that I have come across a most mysterious stone, which must be full of magic power I think. It is PINK, with one white circle and nearly round. The appearance is arresting, being a very pure pink, & most fairy like. I found it in a pinewood – Scotch firs you know are full of sorcery, usually of a rather sad and sinister kind, and I could not resist telling you about it. I don’t think anyone else believes in Magic Stones, do you?
I hope you are very well, & not too overworked. The East must have been keeping you busy I expect.
Yours sincerely, Elizabeth Lyon.
Friday undated [1922] to D’Arcy Osborne
17 Bruton Street
Dear Mr Osborne,
This is just to tell you that I have to go away on Monday, so perhaps you had better not come to visit us on Tuesday. I did not go away today on a visit, as I have a slightly sore throat. I do believe I need that MAGIC STONE. Life has not been quite so smooth since I gave it to you, and if you have not felt any very violent benefit from it so far, perhaps you would very kindly return it. There is no hurry, but I have a FEELING (you know) that I must take it north with me.
I hope you have enjoyed Thursday and Friday. I remember you told me about the little boy.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Lyon.
PS If you are not busy this weekend, do come here some time – or perhaps you are going away? I think I am staying with my mother. I am not going North for a week so no hurry about the Stone.
4 January 1923 to the Duke of York
17 Bruton Street
Dear Prince Bertie
I have just come back from seeing Lady Airlie and talked it all over with her. She is most discreet, and I don’t think she will say a word. […]
It is so angelic of you to allow me plenty of time to think it over – I really do need it, as it takes so long to ponder these things, & this is so very important for us both. If in the end I come to the conclusion that it will be alright, well & good, but Prince Bertie, if I feel that I can’t (& I will not marry you unless I am quite certain, for your own sake) then I shall go away and try not to see you again. I feel there are only those two alternatives – either it will all come right, which I hope it will, or the other. I do hope you understand my feelings – I am more than grateful to you for not hurrying me, and I am determined not to spoil your life by just drifting on like this. You are so thoughtful for me always – oh I do want to do what is right for you. I have thought of nothing else all today – last night seems like a dream. Was it?
It seems so now.
Perhaps you had better not say anything just yet to anybody – what do you think? Do as you think best.
I never thanked you last night for your delightful party. I really enjoyed it very much, & many thanks.
I have just been persuaded to go down to the Lewes Hunt Ball tomorrow night, & shall return here on Saturday. Then I shall go down to St Paul’s Walden the same day. I really am terribly sorry about Pitsford, I would have so loved it, but somehow I feel I was right not to come with you today.
Au revoir till next Thursday,
Yours Elizabeth
Mabell Airlie acted as a confidante for Prince Albert and Elizabeth and a go-between for Queen Mary with the Strathmores. On 3 January 1923 the Prince and Elizabeth danced together at Claridge’s and it seems he again declared his wish to marry her. Many years later Eric Anderson asked her, ‘When it came to the serious proposal for you, did you take advice from anybody or did you know at once?’ She replied, ‘It went on for a year or two. You know you are not sure about anything and then one of my brothers said to me, “Look here. You know you must either say yes or no. It’s not fair.” I think he was right. Because one is rather inclined to dither along if somebody’s fond of you, you know. I suppose when one is young and busy and things. No, he was quite right.’
Diary: Thursday 4 January 1923
Woke at 9.15. Letters from Doris, Mary Thynne & Ruby Smith. Talked to P.B. on the telephone. Said I could not go to Pitsford. Dressed by 12.15. Rushed off to try on my blue tweed. Walked home. George Gage came to lunch. […] Ava* came, & we went to tea with the MacRaes. Very amusing. David & Stephen Tennant† there. Ava & I took taxi to Victoria. I went to see Lady Airlie – talked a long time & explained everything. She was so nice. I ma tsom dexelprep. Home 7. Wrote some letters. George bullied me into saying that I’ll go down tomorrow for Ball. Dinner 8.30. Bed 11.
Elizabeth used mirror writing in her diaries when she wanted to conceal her thoughts.
Diary: Friday 5 January 1923
Woke at 9. Up by 12. Feel rather tired. Ma gnikniht oot hcum. I hsiw I wenk. Mother lunched with Nina. Catherine & I took the 3.20 to Lewes. George [Gage] met us there, & Imogen & Ivo Grenfell came by the same train. The Westmacotts & Chips‡ came a little later, bringing evening papers saying that I was engaged to the Prince of Wales – not mentioning my name, but quite obvious enough. Too stupid & unfounded. Two Miss Gages & one fiancé. Dinner 8.15. Sat between George & Ivo. We went to the Lewes Hunt Ball. Great fun. Danced with some very nice old friends – John Bevan, Tom Bevan, Ian Melville, Mr Wethered, besides our party. Danced till nearly 4! Home 4.30. Ate biscuits & sherry. Bed 5.
Diary: Saturday 6 January 1923
Woke at 9.30. Breakfast 10.15. I took the 11.17 to London. […] James & the Daimler to meet me. Home 1. Mother not feeling very well.
Letter from B. At 3 Mother, Father & I motored down to St P. W. Home 4.15. […]
Diary: Sunday 7 January 1923
Woke at 9.30. Breakfast in bed. Up 11.30. Dr Thomas came to see Jock who has a bad cold. Read prayers with Father & Mother. Did not go out, horrid day. Read & knitted & talked. Dinner 8.30. Played the Grammy. Bed 11.
Monday undated [8 January 1923] to the Duke of York
St Paul’s Walden Bury
Dear Prince Bertie
I am so sorry to have been such ages sending you back your handkerchief, which was most useful. Thank you so much for lending it to me.
Thank you also so very much for your angelic letter which I got on Saturday – it was such a nice one. Do you know, last Wednesday evening seems just like a dream to me now. I think the great thing is to be with the person, or it all seems too unreal – do you feel that at all?
I get back from Longleat* on Thursday, are you coming to tea on that day? I shall be in Bruton Street anyway, so if you are in London do look in. I do hope the Pytchley Ball was fun, and also Emma [Thynne]’s ball at Castle Ashby – did you enjoy them?
Did you see any of the papers on Friday? Some of them said I was engaged to the Prince of Wales – one or two of them mentioning my name and a few my photograph. It’s too extraordinary, why can’t they leave one alone? And in this case, it was so utterly absurd. I’m so sleepy, I must go to bed.
Thank you again so much for your letter,
God Bless you,
Yours Elizabeth
Diary: Monday 8 January 1923
Woke at 9. Brea
kfast 10.15. […] Sheaf of cuttings about my rumoured engagement to the Prince of Wales. Too silly. […]
Diary: Thursday 11 January 1923
Doris came to lunch with me [in London]. […] Talked till 3.30. […] Prince Bertie came to tea – we talked till 7.30. I am yrev deirrow oot. […]
Diary: Friday 12 January 1923
Woke at 9. Felt very tired. Up by 11. Doris came round & talked till 12.30. […] I sat before the fire in a stupor till 1.30. Dashed off & was photographed for Vogue. Home again – telephoned for father to Prince Bertie – he was out, so left a message to bring guns. […] Prince Bertie called for me at 6 & we motored down to St Paul’s Walden. Arrived 7.30. Dinner 8.30. At 11 Fenella & I went to a dance given by the Martin Smiths. Danced with John Bevan, Mr Fane, Mr Gibbs, Christopher Barclay etc. Good supper. Home 1.30.
Diary: Saturday 13 January 1923
Woke at 9.30. Breakie 10.30. Talked to Prince Bertie, & went for tiring walk before lunch. Mr Beck to lunch. I felt a bit tired. Went & sawed wood with father in Michael’s Hope. Prince Bertie sawed hard! Talked after tea for hours – dediced ot tiaw a elttil – epoh I ma not gnivaheb yl[d]ab. Dinner 8.30. Fenella had gone to London. Talked till 11/4 to 12. Bed 12.30.
Diary: Sunday 14 January 1923
Woke at 9. Breakie 10.30. Sat & talked till 12.30, & then went for a walk in the enchanted wood. Long walk after lunch & long talks after tea & dinner.
Late on the evening of Sunday 14 January 1923 Elizabeth accepted Prince Albert. Her mother described it to her daughter May thus: ‘He came down to St. P.W. suddenly on Friday, & proposed continuously until Sunday night, when she said Yes at 11.30!! My head is completely bewildered, as all those days E was hesitating and miserable, but now she is absolutely happy – and he is radiant.’*
In similar vein, on 17 January Lady Strathmore wrote to her daughter-in-law Lady Christian, widow of Fergus, who was now remarried to Captain William Martin:
‘He has wanted to marry Elizth for nearly 3 years, & she had refused him quite steadfastly, but lately I noticed that she liked dancing & talking to him more than anyone else – so when he came suddenly to St Paul’s Walden last week I felt pretty certain she wd say yes.
‘She is very happy & he is radiant – & we are (at last) quite happy about it – I like him immensely.
‘I don’t know what I shall do, Christian, when she goes – I cannot tell you what she has been to me – never once a cross word in her whole life & such a sympathetic & loving help to me.’†
The following day the Prince set off to Sandringham to tell his parents. King George V recorded in his diary that ‘we gladly gave our consent’. Queen Mary wrote, ‘We are delighted and he looks beaming.’‡ The King and Queen invited Elizabeth and her parents to stay with them at Sandringham the following weekend.
Diary: Monday 15 January 1923
Woke at 8. Slept rather badly. Breakie 9. At 1/4 to 10 P.B. motored me up to London. Dropped me at Bruton Street. Then I went to the dentist. Called on Fenella – told her news, & had a cocktail. Home 1. B. called for me & we lunched at Chesterfield House with Princess Mary & Lord Lascelles. The Prince of Wales came round to see me there. B. went off to Sandringham, & the P. of W dropped me home. Found mother. Wrote lots of letters. Went to see Nina & told her.
Also Lady Airlie. Jock came in. Wrote lots more letters. The telephone rang the whole evening – hundreds of reporters clamouring! Last day of peace I suppose! Bed 11.
16January 1923 to Arthur Penn
17Bruton Street
My dear Arthur,
Arthur, I must tell you, I am going to marry Prince Bertie – I do hope you like him – I feel terrified now I’ve done it – in fact nobody is more surprised than me. Arthur, you have been one of my best friends for years – please please don’t cast me off as one now, will you?
I do hope you are pleased about this – I felt I must tell you
Yours, Elizabeth
Diary: Tuesday 16 January 1923
Woke at 8.30. The papers announce my engagement this morning. Great headlines & lots of rot! Up by 11. Telegrams poured in all day, letters & reporters tumbling over each other. Saw Aunt Maudie.* Bertie came to lunch. There were hundreds of photographers & a crowd when we came out. Awful! Went to Buckingham Palace & chose the ring. The Prince of Wales came in for some time, & sent for some rings from Boucheron! Had tea with Bertie – then he brought me home. More telegrams, & saw two Scotch reporters & [Victor] Gordon-Lennox. Quite exhausted! Bertie dined – Father came up. Talked till 12 – & were photographed – not a success! Bed 1.
17 January 1923 to King George V
17 Bruton Street
Sir,
Thank you so much for your very kind letter, which Bertie gave me. I am so grateful to Your Majesty for welcoming me so kindly as a future member of your family and I only hope that I shall be able to help Bertie in all his many duties, and in many other ways also.
I shall look forward so much to coming to Sandringham on Saturday, and with many more thanks for your kindness,
I remain, Your Majesty’s humble and obedient servant,
Elizabeth Lyon
17 January 1923 to Queen Mary
17 Bruton Street
Madam,
I must thank you so much for your most kind letter, welcoming me as your future daughter in law. I do hope I shall make Bertie very happy, as he so deserves to be, and my greatest wish is to be a real daughter to your Majesty.
I shall look forward intensely to my visit to Sandringham on Saturday, and I do hope you will think I shall make Bertie a good wife, we are both so happy, and it is all wonderful.
I remain, Your Majesty’s humble & obedient servant,
Elizabeth Lyon
Wednesday 17 January 1923 to D’Arcy Osborne
17 Bruton Street
Dear Mr Osborne,
Thank you so very much for your charming letter. It was so nice of you to write. You must come round and ‘ ‘ave one’ soon. You have no idea how tiring it is being engaged! I am quite gaga already, & can only clutch my magic stone and hope for the best. Good ‘ealth, Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Lyon
Diary: Wednesday 17 January 1923
Woke 8.30. Great pile of letters, & papers still very full of it! Betty Cator* came to see me. So nice. Simply inundated by awful reporters & photographers. Too appalling. Bertie went off hunting today. Telegrams from Paul in Serbia, Mr Brown in Australia, Doubledays in America etc. Very busy writing. Louis Greig† brought a secretary round to help me. Doris came at 3.30. We crept out for a walk in the fog! Talked hard – she is so pleased. She left 5. Diamond came in, also Christopher [Glenconner] for a few minutes. Lots more letters & telegrams. Bertie came to dinner. Rosie arrived up for tea. We talked till 12! Bed 12.30.
19 January 1923 to Arthur Penn
17 Bruton Street
Dear dear Arthur,
You wrote me such an angelic letter – far the nicest I’ve had yet. Thank you so so much, I really loved it.
I am so glad you are pleased, Arthur. It was all so surprising and I am very pleased with being engaged! Except for this awful publicity. How beastly the papers are – nothing but lies! am completely exhausted, but I don’t think this can last much longer. Do come in one evening soon.
Yours, Elizabeth
Diary: Friday 19 January 1923
Woke at 10! Lots of letters. Up by 11.30. Miss Chard [temporary secretary] came, & we got through dozens. Bertie to lunch. Afterwards, he & I motored down to Richmond,* where we went for a walk & looked at the garden of White Lodge. Then we called on Mrs Greig & had tea with her. Home again at six. More letters! Wrote several. Bertie gave me my engagement ring today, it is lovely. He came to dinner & we talked till nearly 12! Bed 12.30.
21 January 1923 to Beryl Poignand
York Cottage
Sandringham
My dearest M.
I did not have time to let you know I was engaged, before it was announced in the paper.
I longed to tell you, but did not know where you were. It was all such a hurry – I got engaged on Sunday – Bertie dashed off here on Monday, & it came out Monday night. So I could not even let the family know.
I’ve had a ghastly time this week with reporters & photographers curse them, but hope they will very soon get tired of us.
We came down here yesterday, & it has been a bit of an ordeal meeting all the relations. They have all been so very kind & charming, but I’m feeling utterly exhausted. We go back to London tomorrow, I dread the pile of letters.
Oh, my dearest M – I’ve heard from Ernest [Pearce] & Norman Jepson† already – such delicious letters. I was so pleased.
I am so happy, & most surprised, as I never thought I’d marry him!!! You must come back in time for the wedding tho’ that won’t be just yet.
I am so tired already – I think I shall probably die long before I get married! How delighted the papers would be – after the ROMANCE the TRAGEDY! What ho.
Best love, I have got at least 500 letters to write.
Your very very loving
Elizabeth
25 January 1923 to Beryl Poignand
17 Bruton Street
My dearest M,
A thousand thanks for your angelic letter. I am most awfully happy my dear M – it is all wonderful except this publicity still – it’s ghastly!!
Look here, do come back soon & take over control of my presents, will you?
I should be so grateful, & will make somebody or other (not me!) pay you an IMMENSE salary. Do, if you are coming home soon. If you don’t, I shall have to get a stranger. I would love to see your ugly face about. Your loving E.
PS I’ve had to have a secretary lent to me! I’m completely exhausted already.
Undated [25 January 1923] to the Duke of York
Counting One's Blessings Page 12
