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Counting One's Blessings

Page 45

by William Shawcross


  Charles was angelic at the Coldstream Colour giving. He sat in his pram on the right of the steps going down from the East Terrace, & when it was over, he walked round with Papa & me to the saluting base just outside the tunnel door, & stood with us on the dais. When I said ‘You must salute the Colours Charles’, he raised a small white gloved starfish of a hand to his hat in the gravest & most entrancing way!

  We spent most of the time after tea in the Chapel! Every day! That little door on the right of the altar leading to the Dean’s dressing room, & the steep little stair up to the pulpit had a tremendous allure, and after playing trains in those pews, which are ideal for the purpose, we toiled up another steep stair to the organ loft (passing a very exciting tiny window on the way), where Charles enjoyed himself madly playing the organ – silently of course!

  But it was a wonderful place to play in, and even the upstairs ‘boxes’ where we used to sit are perfect to explore, aged 2½. One morning when he was paying me a visit in my room, he had a large stick & was marching up & down, being the sentry. He did not know that I was watching him, & really he was so funny that I had great difficulty in not laughing aloud. He stamped, exactly right, & after presenting arms, saluted in a perfect & nonchalant way, all this done very quickly & with a stern & serious face!

  Anne is growing hard, & sits bolt upright. I think that she is going to be tall, she is long in the body, & very pretty too. She has lovely eyes, hasn’t she?

  Mrs Bruce adored having the babies, & Madame Corpsleger [Lightbody]* & Mabel & Agggeness† were such nice guests – always cheerful & happy. Altogether it was too delicious having them. […]

  Darling, I’ve just received your letter, & do hope that the Colour ceremony went off well. […]

  I do hope too, that Rome will be delicious. Don’t overdo things and get too tired – it can be very exhausting in the spring, & people are inclined to get relaxed throats – so please be careful.

  Lots of love to Philip, from your very very loving

  Mummy

  PS Papa is much better – that flu got him very down, & he took a long time to shake it off.

  Did Philip hurt himself when his pony fell? I wonder if you have any good manipulators – so important.

  17 September 1951 to Queen Mary

  Balmoral Castle

  Darling Mama

  Thank you so very much for your dear and understanding letter. It is very worrying about Bertie, and I feel miserable being up here, and feel most cut off. He was very insistent that I should stay here, & not accompany him to London. Partly, I think, he had a faint hope of returning here, and partly he did not want to agitate people too much, but I hope to come down for a day or two anyway this week. It is too unfortunate that the Palace is in such a bad state, our rooms being painted, scaffolding everywhere, but thank goodness we kept the Belgian suite open in case of emergency. I have been dreadfully worried all the time up here, as Bertie was really very unwell with a bad cough & so unfortunately caught a bad cold, & tho’ he really was feeling much better last week, he was far from well.

  I do pray that the doctors will be able to find something to help the lung recover.

  Your dear letter was a great comfort, and I do thank you with all my heart for writing to your very loving daughter in law

  Elizabeth

  The King’s health gave great concern throughout the year. He was in need of constant rest, and X-rays showed a shadow on his left lung, which his doctors declared was pneumonitis and could be cured by penicillin. At the end of August, at Balmoral, he caught a chill and the Queen insisted his doctors come to Scotland to see him. They, in turn, prevailed upon him to return to London for one day, to have further tests and X-rays. A specialist in malignant diseases of the chest joined the team and a biopsy from the left lung revealed a tumour, but the word ‘cancer’ was never used. Instead the doctors published bulletins which talked of ‘structural changes’ to the lung. It was indeed lung cancer, however, almost certainly caused by his heavy smoking, though the link was not then widely understood.

  On 23 September, the King’s left lung was removed; thousands of anxious people waited outside the Palace for news to be attached to the railing. Winston Churchill said, ‘I did a thing this morning that I haven’t done for many years – I went down on my knees by my bedside and prayed.’* Millions prayed with him.

  23 September 1951 to Queen Mary

  Buckingham Palace

  2.30 p.m.

  My Darling Mama

  I have just seen the surgeon, and he is very satisfied with the operation, which is a marvellous relief. Bertie stood it very well – about 3 hours of it, and if he goes on as he is now, the doctors will be pleased. He said that we must be anxious for 2 or 3 days, because of reaction & shock etc., but his blood pressure is steady, & his heart good. It does seem hard that he should have to go through so much, someone as good as darling Bertie who always thinks of others – but if this operation is successful, he may be much stronger in the future.

  What a long hell the morning has been! Endless waiting, & I thought of you so much darling Mama – such moments are true torture. One must have real faith & trust in the goodness of God.

  Your loving Elizabeth

  23 September 1951 to Sir Alan Lascelles

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Tommy

  Thank you so much for your letter. I am sure that today the King was utterly surrounded by a great circle of prayer, and that he has been sustained by the faith of millions. There must be great strength in such an uprising of spiritual forces.

  If only he has a good 2 days, one will feel much more confident.

  This last few weeks has been pure hell, hasn’t it. I quite agree with you that there should be a Council of State. Anything to save the King the little things that must be done. You can imagine that I do not want to see the Duke of Windsor – the part author of the King’s troubles. […]

  Thank you again for your unfailing support given so unsparingly through your own days of anguish. I shall always be very grateful for that.

  ER

  15 October 1951 to Princess Elizabeth

  Buckingham Palace

  My Darling Lilibet

  We have been following your journey step by step,* and the B.B.C. has given quite a good account every evening.

  I remember nearly all the places so far, so can imagine you & Philip at all stages of your journey. I am sure that you have had a wonderful welcome, & don’t you think Canada a wonderful country? I think of you a very great deal, and I do pray that you won’t get absolutely exhausted, not only by endless stops, but by the agonizing worry of trying vainly to keep up to time & not disappoint people who have waited hours. On looking at your ‘schedule’, I imagine that they have run the times terribly close. They nearly always do!

  I really think that Papa is getting stronger (I nearly put gaining strength!), and he is today sitting in the audience room for lunch & tea. His voice is still very hoarse, but he is beginning to take an interest in things again, and once he makes a start, he will, I am sure, get on quicker. It must be slow I suppose, but the doctors are pleased, & he is a little more cheerful.

  I would have written before, but got stricken down on Thursday night with a sort of violent flu, which knocked me out for a day or two, & I am just up today in my dressing gown, so fear I have very little news of the children. I saw them on Wednesday when they came over to see one of the night sisters, and they seemed very well. I can’t believe that it is very good for them to live in a completely empty house, & if later on Nanny seems happy, shall I ask them to stay for a week or two? I think that Charles gets a bit bored with nursery ‘patter’ don’t you? But I will only do this if you think it a good thing.

  Everything seems to have gone to pot in Egypt, and I don’t wonder with the deplorable Government we have had for so long. They will defer to, & take the advice of the Americans, & much as we like our Canadian neighbours [that is, the United States], do we think much of
their judgment on foreign affairs.

  Any government that comes in here next week is in for a mess.* Oh dear, it is really terribly worrying & dangerous to realize how little we are listened to at the moment.

  And I wonder sometimes whether the bulk of the people realize it, they have had their thoughts glued on to rations & shortages, & housing problems & making sure that nobody rises higher than the lowest, and it is difficult for them to raise their eyes to look wider & higher, & see what is happening to them. But I do think that they have a marvellous sense of balance, & am quite sure that their good sense will save them (some day!).

  I am longing to hear your impressions of everything – the French, the Mounties, the delicious people at the little unexpected stops, poison pen Perrick,† your staff, & particularly about Blair House‡ when you get there. Don’t forget to give warm personal messages to Mr & Mrs Truman from Papa & me – & anybody else that you think right.

  Have you managed clothes all right? It sounds a nightmare for Bobo [MacDonald] of dividing and planning, but I am sure that she has been splendid, & a great support. One really could not do these tremendous tours without a clever & kind maid.

  Don’t forget to put a bit of inflection into your speeches, especially for coming over the radio darling. They have been excellent so far, so clear too, & good pauses – Philip came over splendidly – it sounded very well indeed.

  Margaret is busy cleaning anything & everything in this house! We shall soon be shining like the morning sun!

  Papa & I are so proud of you & Philip, & so glad that it is all going so well. We think of you all the time, & with all the rush & tiredness, one stores up wonderful experiences, & perhaps a little more understanding & wisdom – doesn’t one? Goodbye darling, from your very loving Mummy

  26 December 1951 to Arthur Penn

  Sandringham

  My dear Arthur

  You know that there are various unusual objects which one is mad about, and toasting forks are my real weakness. I simply love your most charming present and send you many many grateful thanks.

  I shall use it a great deal because we nearly always hot up the toast in London by pronging it on a silver fork and burning one’s fingers at the fire, so my lovely new old toasting fork will be HEAVEN to use. It is so kind of you, Arthur, and I am so very grateful.

  With all wishes for a better 1952 and with a thousand thanks, not only for my delicious present, but also for all your wonderful help and support through bad days and good days.

  Yours with dreams of fresh crunchy toast

  Elizabeth R

  After a family Christmas at Sandringham, where the King had been weak but happy, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip set off for Kenya on the first leg of the long Australasian tour which the King and Queen had had to forego because of the King’s illness. At London airport on 31 January, the King stood gaunt and hatless as he and the Queen waved their daughter goodbye. The King and Queen were themselves planning a private trip to South Africa for the King to recuperate in the sunshine.

  2 February 1952 to Princess Elizabeth

  Sandringham

  My Darling Lilibet

  I send you one line to tell you that the children are very well, and we had a successful journey down yesterday. Charles spent at least an hour going up & down the train ‘to see if Anne is all right’, and made a wonderfully unwholesome tea of half a crumpet, 2 chicken sandwiches, one ham sandwich and the ice cream!

  This afternoon Margaret & I took Charles & Anne to Brancaster. Whilst Nanna & Mabel pottered about with Anne, Charles rushed straight down to the sea, & managed to get his feet nice & wet! It was a lovely day, cold & sunny.

  We think about you & Philip so much, and it seemed so extraordinary to talk to you yesterday, and to think of you in Nairobi so soon after that horrid good-bye at Heathrow. I could not help one huge tear forcing its way out of my eye, & as we waited to wave goodbye, as you taxied off, it trembled on my eyelashes & I saw both d’Albiac* and Whitney Straight† eyeing it in a sidelong & agitated manner! I did hate saying goodbye to both you darlings, & we felt terribly sad & bereft when you had gone.

  I do pray that all goes well, & I am quite sure that you will give immense pleasure wherever you go. People react to goodness & kindness in a wonderful way.

  Papa seems pretty well, & I do hope that a good soaking from the sun will do him good. But he does hate being away from all his responsibilities and interests – & I don’t expect we shall stay long!

  Lots of love darling from your very loving Mummy

  On 5 February the King went rabbit shooting, while the Queen and Princess Margaret visited the painter Edward Seago at his home near by. That evening the King and Queen looked at some of Seago’s pictures which the Queen had brought home, and had an enjoyable dinner with Princess Margaret. The King then retired to bed in his ground-floor room. In the morning his servant, James Macdonald, brought the King his tea and found that he had died in his sleep. The Queen was told and rushed to his room.

  The report of the King’s death was met with grief throughout Britain, the Commonwealth and many other parts of the world.

  The new Queen, Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip were given the shocking news in Kenya; they flew back at once and were met at the airport by Winston Churchill and other political leaders on 7 February. They then journeyed to Sandringham to join the rest of the family. The King’s coffin was brought by special train to London and lay in state in Westminster Hall; over 300,000 mourners passed by to pay their respects.

  On Friday 15 February the King’s funeral took place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and there he was buried. Winston Churchill’s wreath read simply ‘For Valour’.

  Wednesday 6 February 1952 to Queen Mary

  Sandringham

  My Darling Mama,

  What can I say to you – I know that you loved Bertie dearly, and he was my whole life, and one can only be deeply thankful for the utterly happy years we had together. He was so wonderfully thoughtful and loving, & I don’t believe he ever thought of himself at all. He was so devoted to you, & admired and loved you. It is impossible for me to grasp what has happened, last night he was in wonderful form and looking so well, and this morning, only a few hours ago, I was sent a message that his servant couldn’t waken him. I flew to his room, & thought that he was in a deep sleep, he looked so peaceful – and then I realised what had happened.

  It is hard to grasp, he was such an angel to the children & me, and I cannot bear to think of Lilibet, so young to bear such a burden. I do feel for you so darling Mama – to lose two dear sons, and Bertie so young still, & so precious – It is almost more than one can bear –

  Your very loving

  Elizabeth

  Saturday undated [9 February 1952] to the Duke of Edinburgh

  Sandringham

  Darling Philip,

  You could not have written me a more comforting & wonderful letter, and I do thank you with all my heart for your understanding & sweetness. Papa was so devoted to you, as I am, and that is one of the sad things about his death, because I am sure that as the years went on you would have grown closer even than you have been, and he, I know, was so happy to discuss things with you, & found you such a staunch support.

  We both felt so happy that darling Lilibet had such a good & true man as her husband, and that you have that mutual understanding & love which makes the hard things possible to overcome, the sorrows more bearable, & the joys the greater.

  I have the greatest confidence in both of you & do thank God for such dear children.

  You know that you can count on me to uphold you with all the strength & love that I have – if ever you need it.

  Your loving

  Mama

  11 February 1952 to Arthur Penn

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Arthur,

  How can I ever thank you enough for all your wonderful support & sympathetic understanding during these last dark days. You helped me more than I can say,
and I am deeply deeply grateful.

  To be upheld by one’s friends gives one that little bit of extra courage so badly needed, and your kind thoughtfulness & delicacy will never be forgotten by your grateful

  Elizabeth R

  11February 1952 to Lady Delia Peel

  Buckingham Palace

  Darling Delia

  It was so wonderful to see you today, and Lilibet & Margaret & I felt so comforted by even the sight of your dear face. You have the gift of making one feel braver, and we truly felt better even after a glimpse. The children have been wonderful all through these awful days.

  […] I did so hope that he might have had even a few years of better health to use his energy & creativeness for nice things & good things. I expect that God knows best, & I am tremendously grateful for having had him, tho’ it seems such a short time.

  Thank you for your letter which I loved. I do so like being reminded of nice things we did together.

  Your loving

  ER

  12February 1952 to Sir Alan Lascelles

  Buckingham Palace

  My dear Tommy,

  I do want to try & tell you something of the deep gratitude I feel for all your loving and wonderful service to the King through perhaps the most difficult years any sovereign has passed through. Your advice & support were greatly cherished by the King – he respected your judgement completely, & how often I have heard him say, ‘I must discuss this with Tommy’ & know that he would get such a wise & balanced view of the question.

  I am sure that at the Coronation he dedicated himself utterly to his country & people and he never deviated from the path he chose. And you helped him to walk that path, and I, who loved him most dearly, want to thank you with all my heart for all you have done to help him.

 

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