Counting One's Blessings

by William Shawcross

  Mama, if by the mercy of God we are spared further murderous onslaughts by the Germans, and no more flying bombs & rockets come over, could you not come to Windsor for a week or a fortnight, from there you could easily come up to London for any business or shopping & it would be so nice for us. I only suggest this as a possibility, as there is plenty of room there, & conveniently close to London, and there are so many preliminary plans to make for the Great Move [back to Marlborough House] when it comes, and it is sometimes easier if one can just cast an eye on things oneself.

  Please don’t trouble to answer, but if, later on, this idea appeals to you, just let us know.

  Much love darling Mama,

  Ever your loving daughter in law

  Elizabeth

  PS You would not mind if we were not at Windsor during the mid week.

  Victory in Europe was finally declared on 8 May 1945. All of Britain celebrated. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to cheer the Royal Family – and the King and Queen allowed the Princesses to mingle with the ecstatic crowds.

  In a speech in the House of Commons, Winston Churchill praised the work of the King and ‘his gracious consort, the Queen’ throughout the war. She had, he said, ‘been everywhere with him to scenes of suffering and disaster, to hospitals, to places shattered the day before by some devastating explosion, to see the bereaved, the sufferers and the wounded, and I am sure that many an aching heart has found some solace in her gracious smile.’*

  12 May 1945 to Doris Vyner

  Windsor Castle

  My Darling Doris,

  Your note has just arrived, and it is impossible for me to say what is in my heart for you. Words are just useless, and I can only send you all my love and constant thoughts and prayers. This cruel blow† is one which I have prayed that you and Clare might be spared, and both the King and I are absolutely heartbroken for you. Such grief is so utterly personal, and one feels so helpless to say or do anything – Oh Doris, I cannot bear to think of your sorrow – only your great courage can sustain you, that, and the sharing of this great & added burden with Clare. You will be able to help him so much, and he you. I have never in my life read a letter so ringing with courage and unbeaten spirit, as yours today. How proud Charles must be of you, he had such a gay and gallant spirit himself, and your reaction to this crushing blow is so wonderful. Darling Doris, all my most loving thoughts are with you all the time; if ever you want me I shall come at once, even just to be with you a moment. I feel so deeply for Clare too – you are our dearest & best friends, & your sorrows are our sorrows – if only we could lighten them for you.

  All my love my darling brave Doris, Your always loving E

  14 May 1945 to Sir Osbert Sitwell

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Sir Osbert,

  I have to thank you for two delightful & kind letters and also for sending me your enchanting and fascinating book, Left Hand Right Hand.*

  I have been trying to write for weeks, but somehow have found it very difficult to put two words together and even now I fear that this letter won’t make much sense! I feel rather numbed by the emotions of the last weeks, and on top of all the great anxieties of the last years, this has made me feel stunned as well, so you will understand a rather stupid letter, I hope!

  I have read your lovely book with such enjoyment and admiration. It was thrilling to read it again, and everybody is full of praise for such a superb work.

  I would so like someday to see your Pipers – have you seen mine of Windsor? I thought that some of your drawings looked lovely.

  It is almost impossible to believe that the dreadful war is over, and Germany truly beaten; – the sense of relief from bombs and rockets is very agreeable at the moment, and I hope that people won’t forget too soon. They have shown such a noble and unselfish spirit all through the country during these long years of war, and I long for them to keep at the same high level in the days to come.

  Our people respond so magnificently when they are asked to do hard things, to die, to smile amongst the wreckage of their homes, to work until they crack, to think of their neighbour before themselves; and the more difficult the things you ask of them, the more response you get. It’s been so wonderful; and all that spirit will be needed now, more than ever, for the whole world looks (even if some unwillingly) to these Islands for leadership in decent living and thinking. We must do it somehow. […]

  With again my heartfelt thanks for sending me your book,

  I am your very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R.

  11June 1945 to Queen Mary

  Buckingham Palace

  My Darling Mama

  It is wonderful to think that you are back at Marlborough House after all those years of war, and this is just to send my fondest love, & to say what joy we feel on your return.

  It has really been very lonely not having any member of the family in London and it is so splendid that you are the first to return.

  This bunch of roses comes with so much love.

  Ever your devoted

  Elizabeth

  26 July 1945 to Queen Mary

  Buckingham Palace

  My Darling Mama

  It would be so delightful if you would come to tea on my birthday. I think that we may be going to the races at Ascot in the afternoon, & should be back by 4.30.

  The election has been rather a shock,* and I think that Bertie felt it very much, as Winston has been such a great support and comfort all through these terrible years of war. He is a great man, of great vision, and his leadership has meant so much to so many. People’s memories are short, alas!, and one must try now to build up another good, sound government. But the material is not too inspiring.

  With a great war raging, & a Potsdam Conference sitting, really is not the time to have a change of government! We both feel very tired & today has been very depressing, but Bertie is wonderful, and tho’ he looks rather pinched in the face, he is so calm and good, tho’ I know he is worried to death. You have been through all these things Mama, & understand it all so well. It is hell, isn’t it.

  Your very loving daughter in law

  Elizabeth

  On 15 August 1945, after the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered and thus the Second World War came to an end. August 15 1945 has ever since been known as V-J Day. The Japanese government’s formal surrender took place on board the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945.

  15 August 1945 to Lady Helen Graham

  Buckingham Palace

  My dearest Nellie,

  I am so very distressed to hear that your recovery has had this setback, and these few lines bring you all my love and most understanding sympathy. […] This day has brought the end of the war – one can hardly take it in. I do pray that all the sacrifices & comradeship & love which people have felt for each other will not fade.

  All my love dearest Nellie,

  Your very affec:

  Elizabeth R

  22 August 1945 to Sir Osbert Sitwell

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Sir Osbert,

  […]

  There has been so much happening that I feel rather dazed, don’t you? One fears that this winter is going to be difficult, little fuel, no more clothes, monotonous and sparse food, & no bombing to liven us up. But people are not being killed & that’s the main thing.

  Yours very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  18 September 1945 to Queen Mary

  Balmoral Castle

  Darling Mama

  […]

  I do trust that David’s visit will go off well, and that he won’t have any press conferences.* He ought to say that his visit is private and refuse to see the press, for it is most indiscreet to start something which the family have avoided so successfully here. I pray that his visit will give you pleasure, for whatever the sad events of the past, it is very hard for a mother to be parted from her son.
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  Lilibet is getting on quite well. One leg had some bad gashes on it, and is healing slowly, and the doctor has ordered complete rest. It is most unfortunate, but might have been so much worse. There is nothing so dangerous as a horse bolting among trees, and we are thankful that her eye escaped, for she had a scratch across the eyelid.

  […]

  I am afraid that Aunt Alice* will think that Bertie and I have aged a lot, and look rather haggard and ravaged! and one’s clothes are so awful! But those years of anxiety and the horrible effects of bombing and destruction must leave a mark I suppose, so I hope she won’t be too surprised.

  Everything goes well here, and to my joy Bertie has taken to stalking again, which means he has more energy, and it is doing him good. He was very tired when we got up here at the end of August, for the summer had been very exhausting. […]

  Your very loving daughter-in-law

  Elizabeth

  8 October 1945 to Arthur Penn

  Balmoral Castle

  My dear Arthur,

  I return the letter written in Paris. It whisked me back all those years in a twinkling, and I suddenly remembered what fun it was and how carefree we all were, and how much we laughed, and how late we sat up! Thank you so much for letting me see your very amusing account of the journey. […]

  Au-revoir, Ta Ta you can hear him say to the Marchioness Clerkenwell† as he wishes her good day (one of my father’s songs).

  ER

  19 December 1945 to the Hon. Sir Richard Molyneux

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Dick

  Bowling through Berkeley Square today, it suddenly struck me to ask whether you were planning to spend Xmas anywhere particular, or whether you would care to come & spend it with us at hideous ugly germ ridden old Sandringham? I only write this note in case, because of course you may be off to a party, and old S may be a bit dull!

  In any case, I hope you will come for a few days later, as it is 6 years since we have had a room or two ‘spare’! If you are already too engaged, a merry Xmas! if not, you just wait. ER

  31 December 1945 to Mrs Beevers

  Sandringham

  Dearest Nannie B

  A number of your babies’ Mothers have banded together to collect & give you a small gift in token of our love & gratitude for all you have done for us.

  We find it almost impossible to buy anything nice in these days of empty shops, so we are wondering whether you would care for the money to be used to buy an annuity, which might be the most useful in the end. I have asked for the form to be sent to you, and if you will just fill it in where it is marked X, the whole thing will be quite private.

  I do hope you will agree to this, and the gift comes with all our love. I shall send you the list of mothers, and every one of them was so pleased & delighted to join. The writing was all done by Mrs Carnegy of Lour,* and I thought it might be very nice to have a little tea party in the Spring, & I will collect some mothers & we can all talk over old days!

  With my love,

  always your affect.

  Elizabeth R

  1 January 1946 to Sir D’Arcy Osborne

  Sandringham

  My dear D’Arcy,

  […]

  It is rather a sad thought but both my daughters have never set foot outside these Islands! For some years before the war they were not only too small, but dictators strutted in Europe, & for six years they lived under fairly warlike conditions here, so that when people are kind to each other again, I can see that they will be off & away to travel & see for themselves. Indeed, they have hardly even met a foreigner! It is too extraordinary & wrong.

  I feel that people are gradually becoming more sensible here, but manners are not too good – they were so exquisite during the war – perhaps it was too great a strain!

  I am enclosing a small photograph [of the Royal Family on the balcony on VE Day] with our very best wishes for the New Year. Those days of victory passed in a sort of daze – one could hardly believe that the killing & anguish was over. I do pray that we shall get real Peace soon. […]

  Your very old friend

  Elizabeth R

  6 January 1946 to Eleanor Roosevelt

  Sandringham

  My dear Mrs Roosevelt

  I do want to send you a word of cordial greeting on your arrival in England, and say how much we are looking forward to meeting you again.

  So much has happened to this poor battered world since those days when you visited us at Buckingham Palace, & now so many hopes are centred on this great ‘getting together’* which starts next week.

  I do hope that your stay here will be a pleasant one, & if you can manage it, I would be so glad if you could come to us for a weekend. It would be so delightful to renew our friendship, & I will suggest a date a little later, when you will perhaps know your plans ahead more clearly.

  With all good wishes,

  I am,

  Your sincere friend,

  Elizabeth R

  15 May 1946 to Queen Mary

  Buckingham Palace

  Darling Mama

  Thank you so much for your note. We are looking forward very much to your visit to Royal Lodge on your birthday, and are so delighted that you are coming to us. […]

  There is one thing which I am so anxious to ask you darling Mama, and I feel that I was such a bore about it during the War that I hesitate to bore you again. But I feel that you understand my strong feelings on the subject, and therefore ask whether you would contemplate putting our dear old friend the Bishop of Lichfield (Woods) onto the Council of St Katharine’s (Regent’s Park). He is such a rock, & so sensible, and owing to the impossibility of building for the next few years, I do believe that my fond hope of a place where students can study the Christian philosophy may come to pass – if St Katharine’s will back it for a year or two. Lord Salisbury has offered Hatfield – he is very keen about the plan, and I am sure that the Bishop of Lichfield could explain the whole great idea if you would place him on the Council. I do hope you don’t mind me suggesting this, but I do feel that this country depends so largely on our democracy being Christian, that one ought to fight tooth and nail the rather ‘Nazi’ spirit of paganism that is so rife.

  Please forgive me if I have suggested something which is in any way difficult, but the whole trend of education nowadays is so utterly material, & so dangerous for the future. I am sure that the Bishop would only be a help, & never try to force any new ideas on to St Katharine’s.

  Much love, darling Mama, Your loving daughter in law, Elizabeth

  PS We thought of having a luncheon party here on Victory March Day, & do hope you will come.

  25 September 1946 to Viscountess Cranborne

  Balmoral Castle

  Dearest Betty,

  […]

  We have just returned here after two very crowded days in London, trailing round ‘Britain can make it’ (but no one can get it)* with Mr & Mrs Attlee† & Sir Stafford Cripps, saying goodbye to [King] George of Greece‡ who goes to a difficult job I fear, goodbye to Mr Harriman;§ being given orders & honours by Nepalese generals, trying to choose chintzes for the trip to South Africa, and to return to this haven of air & light is almost to good to be true. I know that I would die if I had to live in London all my life – one only exists there. But do you remember what fun it used to be? So gay & so friendly & so elegant – I am so glad to have known it – I even remember carriages & horses, & geraniums in window boxes & ices at Gunter, & polo at Hurlingham, & tennis in the squares, & all those old fashioned things! Ah me!

  Thank you again dearest Betty for the photographs, & how we loved having you & Bobbety here – it was a real joy to us both.

  With much love from your affec:

  Elizabeth R

  8October 1946 to King George VI

  RMS Queen Elizabeth*

  My Darling Bertie

  I sent you a little message at lunch time today, and as there is five minutes before tea, I thought you mi
ght like a letter from your wife whilst at sea! We have been all over the ship, & I must say she is quite beautiful and very comfortable. It is so good for people to see that we have got taste & good workmanship in this country – oh how I hate utility and austerity, don’t you?

  It’s all wrong.

  Well, darling I must fly, the children have just returned from the engine room, and tea is calling.

  I do hope that Sandringham is nice and warm.

  Your very very loving

  E

  9October 1946 to John Elphinstone

  Balmoral Castle

  My Darling John

  Since leaving lovely Glenmazeran† last Thursday, this is really the first moment I have had in which to write you a line to say how TREMENDOUSLY I enjoyed my visit there. I was so looking forward to seeing the house and the country, and I thought both enchanting.

  You were so angelic to Lilibet & me, & we adored our visit, and would so love to come again please, if you can bear it!

  It was so kind of you to have arranged such a wonderful day for Lilibet. She was absolutely thrilled!

  And the whizzbang! My! My!

  A million thanks,

  Your very loving

  Peter

  12 November 1946 to Sir Osbert Sitwell

  Buckingham Palace

  Dear Sir Osbert,

  I am wondering whether you are going to be in London on Wednesday Nov 20th, for on that evening we are going to the Academy to gaze at our pictures in comparative peace, & it would be delightful if you would care to come at 9.30 pm or after.

  We shall ask a very few friends who might like to wander round quietly. I am enjoying seeing our pictures well lit & well shown, & it has revived my wish to build a pretty gallery at Buckingham Palace. But with the present rate of house building I fear it will be many years before such a thing is possible.* I shall leave a legacy I expect! If you and your sister would like to come on the 20th, we would be enchanted.