Counting One's Blessings

by William Shawcross

  Yours very sincerely

  Elizabeth R

  24 April 1950 to Princess Elizabeth

  Buckingham Palace

  My Darling Lilibet

  I was so delighted to get your very interesting and amusing letter, and thank you so very much for writing. I have started several letters to you, and each time I have either rushed off to sit to Simon Elwes,* or dashed off to meet Anthony Blunt, or ‘are you coming’ from Papa, or ‘will you look at this letter’ from Margaret, or ‘Mrs Bruce is outside the door’ etc., & I have never managed to finish a letter! However, this time I WILL, I WILL. First of all, Charles is too heavenly & very well, and trying hard to say new things. […]

  Papa and Mummy get smacking kisses every night – I am sure that you will think he has grown quite a good deal. Nanny has been very nice, and so easy & friendly, and seems very happy at Royal Lodge which is I suppose an ideal place for small children.

  The pram can be in the little sunk garden & an eagle eye can be kept from the nursery window!

  It’s been snowing hard. The wind icy & Charles was fascinated by the snowflakes. He pressed his little face against the window, & watched them falling for ages.

  We have come up for a couple of days of ‘things’, & tomorrow M & I are going to see Dior’s clothes at the French Embassy – I always feel very solid & tweedy & wrongly dressed under the eye of those exquisite creatures!

  I hear that you are coming home on the 3rd – how lovely, & how horrid for you & Philip. But it is wonderful to hear that he may be home in July. I really long to see the boy again, & one does miss his cheerful outlook on life, amongst other things.

  There is to be a division on the budget this week, & if the Government doesn’t get a majority I suppose it means a difficult decision for Papa. However, perhaps nothing will happen once again.

  Darling, I think of you so much, and am so looking forward to next week – I do hope that you will have a good trip. I shall not be back until late, as I am launching the Ark Royal* on that day, but will ring you when I get back.

  Very much love my darling, & lots to Philip from your

  Very loving

  Mummy

  14 May 1950 to Earl and Countess Spencer

  Balmoral Castle

  Dearest Cynthia and Jack†

  I have become used to violent contrasts in our life, but I don’t think that I have ever known such a heavenly one, as our evening at Althorp yesterday. To leave the absolute inferno of noise & rush & oil fumes at Silverstone, with those thousands & thousands of caviar like people, & to find oneself in such an atmosphere of sheer beauty & love & peace was a pleasure that I simply cannot describe to you. I shall never forget the wonderful impression of that beautiful park in the evening sunlight, and the sight of the Pytchley hounds on the green grass. And seeing the most lovely and cherished of English houses once again – & even more lovely than I had remembered – it was all the greatest joy, and I do want to thank you both for such kindness, and for giving us two hours of sheer delight.

  I do think that it is so wonderful the way you have both kept it all looking so perfect. I know what a tremendous struggle it must be, and also what a great deal it means to people who love good & beautiful things in this horrid moment of uncertainty & bad taste.

  Thank you a thousand times

  from your affec.

  Elizabeth R

  24 May 1950 to Peter Cazalet

  Buckingham Palace

  Dear Peter,

  I do want to send you a few words of my sincere sympathy over Anthony’s tragic death.* I can imagine what a terrible blow it must have been to you, and if we who knew & loved & admired him, felt a shock and great sadness, what it must have meant to you I do not like to think. The only comfort is, that I am sure that nothing good is ever wasted in this world, and Anthony’s wonderful example of courage & integrity and good sportsmanship has helped & encouraged many less valiant spirits during these last few difficult years, and that is something which goes on. We do badly need people like Anthony, and I am sure that millions of people felt a real sense of loss when they read of the sad accident.

  I know how close you were to each other, & the sympathy I feel for you is very heartfelt.

  Yours v sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  21 June 1950 to Sir Osbert Sitwell

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Sir Osbert,

  Thank you so much for letting me know about the exhibition of Henry Walton* pictures. I hope very much to be able to see it, and I feel sure that it will be enchanting. I love a small collection of pictures, one does not get exhausted or bemused, and one has time to linger before a favourite instead of that terrible feeling of ‘I haven’t seen the last 4 rooms’. I do want to thank you too for letting me see the proofs of your latest volume† – as usually it is perfect, and fascinating, and I am full of admiration & gratitude.

  Yours very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  21 July 1950 to the Duke of Edinburgh

  Buckingham Palace

  Darling Philip,

  We are all so thrilled at your promotion,‡ and I do want to send you a thousand congratulations. It is too exciting and I cannot imagine how on earth you got through all those frightful exams. It must have been tremendously hard work, and I think quite splendid to have done it.

  It will be wonderful to have your own ship – may I come & visit you if you bring her back here?

  We are all looking forward so very much to your return. It will be delicious to see you again, and I expect that Lilibet will be overjoyed. She seems wonderfully well, tho’ I haven’t seen much of her lately as I have been travelling about a good deal. Charles is too angelic for words – such a strong manly little boy, & extremely brave too!

  He cracks his head against things & only looks surprised & rubs the place! He is such a darling, & a very good joker too – how he will love having you home.

  Much love, & a bientot, Your loving Mama

  15 October 1950 to Queen Mary

  Balmoral Castle

  Darling Mama,

  My time in Scotland is coming to a close, and I shall very soon be in London, and hoping so much to see you. It seems an age since we last met, and I do hope that you are keeping well, and able to get about & enjoy life without any horrid pain.

  The weather here has been deplorable, very cold and incessant gales, but Bertie managed to go out most days, and is really better I think. He walked much better, and was not nearly as tired in the evening. It is a great and blessed relief to see him stronger and more able to cope with the many worries & difficulties of life nowadays.

  It was the greatest joy to have Lilibet and the darling children* here. They left last night and the house seems very empty and forlorn today.

  Charles is really too angelic, and is such a clever child. His memory is prodigious, and he takes a deep interest in everything. He is such a friendly little boy and everyone here loves him.

  This place is looking lovely now, the birches are all gold, and the flowers still gay in the garden.

  Much love darling Mama, and so hoping to meet soon,

  From your loving daughter in law

  Elizabeth

  7 December 1950 to Peter Cazalet

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Peter,

  Ever since the race on Saturday I have been thinking about writing to you, and somehow find it very difficult to know what to say. It was such a real tragedy, and such a terribly sad thing that such a good game horse as Monaveen* had to be put to rest. I am so very glad that Crocker Bulteel† is having him buried at Hurst Park – it is a comfort in a curious way and such a kind thing to do.

  I have thought of very little else these last few days, and with a real sense of loss, I do feel very grateful for the fun & excitement that we have had with that lionhearted horse.

  I suppose he really was killed by his courage and eagerness, & such qualities are splendid ones in a horse.

&n
bsp; I have received so many touching & genuinely sad letters from people all over the country, starting with one from our Irish parson at Sandringham who had followed Monaveen ‘because he belonged to us all in a rather special way’. Quite a lot of people have said the same.

  Would you tell your head stable man how terribly sorry I am; & how grateful I am for all the care he gave Monaveen. I shall always remember how he never left him at the time of the Grand National.

  Will you thank Zara for her angelic kindness & tact at Hurst Park? I was so touched, & I felt very stupid because I longed to shed a tear, & didn’t dare, & I knew she understood.

  When I was in the aeroplane I was able to let a few tears fall for Monaveen.

  It must have been so ghastly for you, because not only the cruel loss of a grand horse, but the fact that memories of Anthony came flooding back, all combined to make it a bitter blow. I don’t think that any other horse will ever have quite the same sentimental feeling for me.

  I have just received your letter, for which many thanks. I am so relieved that Grantham is progressing & hope that he will mend quickly,

  Yours very sincerely

  Elizabeth R

  12 December 1950 to Princess Elizabeth

  Buckingham Palace

  My Darling Lilibet

  I have put off writing before this, because I knew that you were in Greece, & now I am using Margaret as messenger. I do hope that you had a delightful visit. I do envy you seeing all those wonderful & beautiful places and I am longing to hear about it all.

  Wasn’t it a terrible thing about Monaveen. I really think that it was one of the saddest days of my life. One moment seeing the horse in the paddock, looking, honestly, a hundred per cent better than last time, & going tremendously well in the race, & then, ten minutes later, he was dead. It was such a shock, & the worst of it was, that everyone was so upset, & so unhappy & so kind, & I longed to weep, & one’s voice became high & cracked, & it was almost unbearable. Somehow, Monaveen was all mixed up with a ‘first venture’, & Anthony, & all the fun & excitement of last year, & sharing with you, and it seemed so sad that such a gallant & great hearted horse should have to be put to rest. It cast a real gloom over England – everyone was sad for the loss of a good & popular horse. […]

  I have been over several times to see Charles & Anne. They are angelic & seem very well. I hope that they will enjoy Sandringham, for I think it’s pretty dull for Charles at Clarence House, not that he would ever know that, as he is always busy!

  Papa has had a painful attack of lumbago, or something like it, but is better now.

  We had a very enjoyable visit to Broadlands, & a charming & cosy party. Dickie was very executive in a delicious way, & rushed into the dining room at least 4 times before each meal, to see if it was ready! But they were so kind, & we loved our visit. […]

  Darling, I do hope that you will have a very happy Xmas, & please give Philip lots of love, & I miss you terribly, & tho’ I long to see you, am very glad to think that you are together.

  From your very very loving

  Mummy

  PS Mikie [her brother Michael] had a flare up, & had his kidney removed. He is going on well, but it is a bad few days for him.

  PPS May old Miss Poignand see the children? She longs to.

  29 December 1950 to Princess Elizabeth

  Sandringham

  My Darling Lilibet

  First of all I want to thank you a thousand times for the lovely stockings. They are a perfect present, and I am so delighted to have them. […]

  Charles has been so good, & I assure you that I don’t spoil him – he is very easily managed & Mabel* is good with him isn’t she? He comes to visit me in the morning about 9.45, & likes to sit on the bed playing with my little box of rather old lipsticks! They are all colours, & they rattle & he loves taking the tops off. Then we look at a book in which there is a picture of a man in a kilt playing the pipes. This is the Pipe Major of course, & he gets the book shut on him, & endlessly ‘where can the Pipe Major be?’ Is he under the eiderdown, in Charles’s pocket etc. etc.! Sometimes Margaret plays ‘Blaydon Races’ to him after tea. He likes that because it has a line ‘all with smiling faces’, so it’s called ‘Miling faces.

  I can’t tell you how sweet he was driving to the station before Xmas. He sat on my knee, occasionally turning to Papa & giving himself an ecstatic hug, as if to say, isn’t this fun. He sits bolt upright doesn’t he, just like you used to. He is a brave little boy, but I think he’s sensitive, & you will have to see that he doesn’t get frightened by silly people.

  And as for Anne!

  Well, she is too delectable for words. She comes down after tea, & is laid on the sofa whilst Nannie stays outside, & she is surrounded immediately by a ring of adorers. She hasn’t cried once, & coos & gives short vulgar laughs, & is altogether delicious. I know that you will be enchanted with her when you see how she has developed. She is so pretty & neat & very feminine! Philip will see such a huge difference, I am sure she’ll give him a tremendous glad eye! I can’t tell you what a difference it makes having your darlings here – the whole place cheers up, & especially old Grannie.

  Darling, I had a terrific day on Tuesday. I didn’t think that I would be able to get away on Boxing Day but early that morning I simply couldn’t bear it, & ordered the car & rushed off to Kempton! The roads were very icy all round here, but alright from Newmarket, & I got there at 1.30, rather cold & stiff.

  After a hurried lunch, we went to see Manicou,* who was walking round, looking right & left in that charmingly intelligent way. […] The race was very good, & tho’ Silver Flame was always very close, Manicou seemed to have that little bit of speed again at the end. Peter was almost speechless, and very pleased with him I think. […]

  I left again soon after 3, & ran into thick fog London side of Newmarket, stopped for tea with Cecil,† & then crawled on in horrible fog & icy roads. The fog cleared later, but the road was terrible, & we crept along with the back wheels swinging all over the place. Got home about 8. But it was the greatest fun – & I loved every moment of it.

  Jan 5th. [1951]

  We have just returned from London & the lunch for the Prime Ministers. All seemed very happy & friendly with each other, & I do hope that the meeting will give a little more sense of security, which is what is needed. The only one absent was Liaquat‡ but I hear that he is coming in a day or two. Nehru§ was quite friendly in his abstracted way, but I think is worried about India & the turmoil in Asia – but all the P.M.s were determined to try & help him all they could, which was very nice & really so like a family party! Mustn’t let him feel out of it, & cheer up old man sort of feeling.

  Nannie told me that the other evening Sugar & Johnnie [dogs] were sort of playing outside the nursery, & somehow Charles thought that you were coming. His face lit up & he said ‘Mummie!’ in a voice of bliss – Wasn’t it delicious. I am sure that he misses you, & Philip, who is so wonderful with children.

  The weather has been GHASTLY. Snow & ice, & now it’s thawing & pouring. I do hope that it has stopped raining in Malta. Grannie seems much better, & we only just prevented her going with Margaret & 4 gentlemen to a small dance of the Birkbecks – ‘Oh if only I was ten years younger’ moaned Grannie, watching them going off with real envy! She is wonderful. […]

  Margaret simply adored her visit to you. She was thrilled & amused, & liked the people she met very much. The only thing was, she said, that just as she was beginning to get to know people, it was time to go away, which was very sad. But she said that you & Philip were too angelic to her, & I know that she would have loved to stay longer. You asked me to let you know, & I quite agree that sometimes the Sphinx isn’t in it with darling Margaret!

  Goodbye darling angel, lots of love to Philip

  from your very loving Mummy

  31 January 1951 to Princess Elizabeth

  Sandringham.

  My Darling Lilibet

  I was so delighted to get yo
ur delicious letter. Papa & I said ‘what a good letter Lilibet writes, full of news & thought & amusing too.’ I wish that I could tell you what a joy Charles and Anne are to me.

  Every day he has new words and new ideas, and I shall miss them quite terribly when you return.

  Nearly every day we discuss your return – ‘Mummy will come in an aeroplane & then get into a car etc, & then she will drive up to the front door, & she will get out, & there will be Charles waiting, & Mummy will say “Hullo Charles” & then arms are opened wide, & “Papa too”.’ Oh dear, how sweet they are.

  Did you hear that the other day when Charles was getting down from his high chair, he bumped his leg, & patting that sturdy limb he said ‘Mind my nylons’ which was, of course exactly what he heard daily! I don’t suppose that he had the vaguest idea what it meant!

  Darling, I am so looking forward to seeing you again, & I do hope that the weather will improve by next week for your flight.

  I keep on hearing what pleasure your being in Malta gives to everybody, and I am sure that you will be terribly missed when you leave.

  Shall you go back in the Spring? […]

  The world situation is chaotic to say the least of it. But if one can tide over this dangerous period, & if the Americans can be persuaded to think before they act, then perhaps we shall get away from the immediate danger of war. But how everything has deteriorated these last 3 years.

  Here, prices are roaring up, which is very bad. State ownership does not work. I can’t think why the Government doesn’t do what worked well in the war – a high authority over individual industries – you could have state interference at a high level, & yet keep competition, without which all industry seems to wilt and almost die.

  Oh silly imitators of Marx – how foolish they are. […] Goodbye darling, so looking forward to your return, from your very very loving

  Mummy

  7 April 1951 to Princess Elizabeth

  The Royal Lodge

  My Darling Lilibet

  The children went off yesterday morning, and we felt very sad & terribly quiet after they had gone. I can’t tell you what a difference it makes having those heavenly little creatures in the house – everybody loves them so, and they cheer us up more than I can say. Thank you very very much for letting them come. […]