Counting One's Blessings

by William Shawcross

  Clarence House

  Dear Mrs Poignand Hall

  Thank you so much for your kind letter giving me details of dear Miss Poignand’s last days.* I am so thankful that her last hours were so peaceful, and that she was able to talk to you that last Saturday. I shall always be deeply grateful for the wonderful & affectionate loyalty she showed to me & to my family. She shared our joys & sorrows to the full, & I have nothing but happy & loving thoughts in my mind when I think of her through the years that have gone. And how we used to laugh too! That was a delightful side of her character.

  It is very sad to feel that such an old friend has gone, but I am thankful that she is now at peace.

  I am, Yours very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  29 June 1965 to Noël Coward

  Clarence House

  Dear Mr Coward,

  Thank you so much for the charming photographs – they bring back vividly many delightful memories of that heavenly luncheon party in Jamaica, and I am so pleased to have them.

  I enjoyed it so much – seeing your delicious house with that spectacular view, the splendid food, and those enchanting guests made it all utterly enjoyable, and a delicious moment of relaxation.

  It was the nicest bit of my visit to Jamaica and I can quite see what a wonderful and inspiring place it must be to work in – I hope so much to see you when you come to England. […] Could you not come down to Sandringham for the night of Tuesday July 20th – when a famous Russian cellist (I can’t spell him) is playing in one of our lovely old Churches? It would be such fun to see you and to show you dear Edwardian Sandringham.*

  I am, Yours very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  26 February 1966 to the Prince of Wales

  The Royal Lodge

  My Darling Charles,

  I was so delighted to get your lovely long letter [written from Timbertop, part of Geelong Grammar, Australia] – It was so descriptive, and gave me such a vivid impression of your very varied journey. Some of it sounded great fun!

  I do hope that life at Timbertop is agreeable, & not too much like school. I hope that you will be able to nip over and see me at Canberra – is this arranged yet? It will be such a joy to see you, and I shall be able, I hope, to give you all the latest news of home.†

  At the moment I am rather isolated from the family. Because Mummy and Papa are in the Caribbean, Uncle Harry and Aunt Alice are in Jamaica, William is in Nigeria,‡ Margot and Tony leave on Monday for Hong Kong – you are in Australia, & only a few children and poor dear old Granny are left to carry on!! We shall do our best!

  Life goes on here in the same old way, and I have been doing the Investitures for Mummy, & occasionally going racing, & signing documents, & having quite a time with darling little Busy Bee – the puppy Mummy gave me. She is angelic, and very clever and very naughty!

  Today Andrew and Edward and Mabel [Anderson] came down from London to have tea. We spent some crippling time in the little Welsh house, & I am still slightly bent. Andrew dug up quite a lot of the garden, and Edward was just angelic.

  It looks as if we are to have another election. Rather an agony, but I suppose Mr Wilson feels he has a very small majority.*

  On the other hand the socialist government have already done quite a lot of legislation, so one hopes they won’t plunge into too much more. There are already so many rules, regulations & taxes that one feels the people are rather over burdened.

  It has apparently been very cold at Balmoral, so let us hope that those wily old grouse won’t start making their nests too early this year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a really good year once again?

  Pearl† is in the seventh heaven because he got a 20 pounder on the first day of this season. A wonderful start.

  This month has really been terribly wet – nothing but endless driving rain, & the whole country is waterlogged.

  Darling Charles, I do hope that you can get a good look at Australia. They are such splendid people – all the best of the qualities of the English are theirs, & there is nothing better in the world.

  I can’t tell you how much I look forward to seeing you next month, & with much love, ever your devoted, idiotic, supine, sentimental, vacillating, keenonfishingandshootingandallthosedelightfulthings and very loving

  Granny

  10 April 1966 to Peter Cazalet

  HMY Britannia

  My dear Peter,

  What a disastrous season for horse tragedies! I am so sorry to hear of the latest victims, and one begins to wonder whether horses are becoming more brittle, for they seem to break down with great regularity. I do feel for you, because it is so depressing for the stable. I only hope that they are mendable tendons – it is too sad about Bel Ambre. He looked such a strong young horse & I hope that he will become sound for next year.

  I got the Australian broadcasting people to put on the Grand National for me, and nearly went mad when I heard that Kapeno was going easily up with the leaders & also nearly died when that foul Beechers did him in – I wonder if he remembered it, I believe they do sometimes. You really have had bad luck this year, isn’t it strange how when things begin to go wrong, it almost seems catching. […]

  I had a very hectic & hard working time in South Australia where I went racing & saw the big race (2 miles) won by a splendid gelding from New Zealand! […]

  Then on to West Australia where I stopped at a place called Esperance where it was 110 of heat! It’s a fine country, & bursting with optimism & plans for the future. Very nice people too.

  Then on to Canberra, where Charles, my grandson, joined me, and we spent two days in the Snowy Mountains, looking at the vast network of dams & power houses, until we nearly went mad!

  Then I flew on here, & joined the yacht, which is a wonderful relief, & tonight we sail for New Zealand. About the only letters I have had so far is one from you saying that Bel Ambre had broken down, & one from Cecil [Boyd-Rochfort] saying that Charlot had sprained his near force suspensory, & that the vet had put on antiphlogistine & the whole leg blew up! Much too hot, I suppose, & burnt the poor fellow!

  So I haven’t got any very happy thoughts for the moment!! But NEXT YEAR!

  I do hope your flu is better.

  Love to Zara, ever yours,

  Elizabeth R

  21 April 1966 to the Earl of Snowdon

  Wannaka Hotel

  New Zealand

  Dearest Tony,

  I have just seen your Indian pictures in the magazine* and do want to send you one line to say how beautiful they are. It is a tremendous feat to condense such a vast tapestry into one article and I found the whole thing entrancing. How you survived those three weeks, I don’t know! The colours must be divine in India. I thought the picture of the man spinning silks with a bicycle wheel had such lovely pinks and reds and apricots, and the Gauguin-like backs of the holy men of Benares fascinating.

  This is a very beautiful place of great mountains and lakes and rivers but by now I am rather longing to get home and hear those yelling dogs, and play with the grandchildren and burn with rage at politics!

  Much love from your exhausted mother in law,

  Elizabeth

  PS I was photographed in a river, wearing supremely unbecoming clothes, by 35 photographers. Pure hell.

  9 May 1966 to Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson

  Clarence House

  My dear Bernard†

  I really can’t believe that after all the discussions & plans and postponements & flying journeys that I have actually BEEN to New Zealand! That this wonderful visit eventually came off, is a source of great joy to me, and I can never thank you & Laura sufficiently for all your kindness & thoughtfulness and immense help in every way.

  It was all such fun too, and tho’ naturally one got a bit tired sometimes there was always something interesting & invigorating to restore one to normality.

  I have so many delightful memories. Nearly being swept away by that rapidly rising river, the agony of An
zac Day, the glorious beauty of Wanaka, that dear old lady toppling on to me clutching her glass of gin & tonic, that old man who was just going to tell me why he thought that the Duke of Windsor would never ascend the throne (you must find out some day!), that unforgettable scene of Laura & Frances* in their tiaras, & swathed in the chef’s cooking apron, preparing eggs in the galley, the touching farewell from the Britannia, & dozens more amusing & moving memories.

  The love & loyalty of the N.Z. people is something I shall always treasure – long may it be part of their philosophy of life. […]

  This is a lovely moment to return to England. The cherries are bowed down with blossom, & the birches & chestnuts a most tender green. The azaleas are coming out, and one falls in love with Spring all over again.

  With again my warmest thanks for helping to make my visit such a supremely happy & memorable one, & with my love to Laura,

  I am, Yours very sincerely,

  Elizabeth R

  10 July 1966 to the Prince of Wales

  The Royal Lodge

  My Darling Charles,

  I am writing to you just before going to Chapel. I shall walk over in a few minutes, & will meet Mummy & I hope Andrew driving up a little fast (a little late!) & go into that familiar smell, & listen to the canticles sung rather badly with Ernest Pearce’s soaring tenor dominating the singing, & it will all be much the same.† (I hope!)

  I do wish that you could be there too. It seems such a long time since you have been away, and I miss you so much.

  Thank you a thousand times for your fascinating letter about New Guinea and Queensland – it all sounded deeply interesting & great fun too. What a chance to see places & people under such agreeable circumstances.

  I am just back from Chapel. It was just the same! Only Papa was there too, as he hadn’t got to go to Cowdray until later. Mr Ward gave everyone absolute stick for not going often enough to Holy Communion – everyone looked, & felt, rather sheepish!

  When I got back from N Z in May I went up to Birkhall for a week’s fishing. Alas, there were no fish in the river – The water was high & cold, & the fish simply wouldn’t leave the lower water. They were catching quite a lot below. Fishing about 6 hours a day I managed to get 2!! Poor Pearl was very sad, and as for Brown,* he hadn’t even one! It really was slightly depressing but there were one to two nice days, & I love being by the Dee anyway so was quite happy. […]

  The hills were still covered with snow, so I couldn’t extract much grouse news from Macintosh, but the rumour is ‘fair to middling’.

  I have had a very busy summer, & been to Northern Ireland & Yorkshire & Wales & Scotland, & endless things around London, so am looking forward to bonnie Scotland in August.

  I shall hope to go to Balmoral for a couple of days on the 18th – I do hope that you will be there by then.

  I had a pretty strenuous tour in New Zealand, and the fishing was a failure! One nice little river was rising so rapidly that I nearly got marooned in the middle of it. There were huge trout swimming about literally under my feet, & I was reduced to taking the line in my fingers and dangling the fly over their noses! They took not the slightest notice, but I did hook a fine big fish later but the fly had been so badly tied that it broke at once – very disappointing.

  Mummy is looking very well and very pretty – I am sure she is longing to see you again.

  Goodbye, darling, from your very loving, Granny

  15 August 1966 to Benjamin Britten

  The Castle of Mey

  Dear Mr Britten,

  I am so delighted to have the record of Curlew River, and Ruth [Fermoy] and I have listened to it with such real pleasure.

  It sounds so lovely in this silent place, where only the sea & the gulls & the wind are to be heard, and I am deeply grateful to you for sending me such a charming gift.

  I did so enjoy the Burning Fiery Furnace, and it was an added pleasure to hear it in your company. It is so beautiful and so moving. I long to hear it (and see it) again.

  With my warm thanks for giving me such a lovely record,

  I am, Yours very sincerely

  Elizabeth R

  15 December 1966 to the Prince of Wales

  Sister Agnes*

  My Darling Charles,

  I cannot tell you how touched I was to get your marvellous pink roses, and then your sweet letter.

  Thank you a thousand times – the roses are too lovely and scenting my room, and I am so very grateful for your thought of me.

  It would be wonderful if you had five minutes to nip in here, but I know how much you have to do, and anyway I shall be ringing Mummy in the morning.

  I am delighted that you are going to Trinity – I am sure that you will enjoy it to the full, & be able to make the most of the opportunity of getting to know that splendid character Lord Butler† – I feel sure too, that he is one of the few wise men just now, & full of humour as well as being a statesman.

  So longing to see you darling Charles – from your very loving

  Granny

  7 August 1967 to the Prince of Wales

  The Castle of Mey

  My Darling Charles,

  This is just a little line to tell you how greatly touched I was that not only did you remember my birthday but that you gave me such an entrancing & interesting present. I really am enchanted with it, and it will be a great treasure.

  I do hope that you are enjoying your trip in Britannia, & that it will rest & relax your darling mother – I thought she looked tired, & no wonder with so many horrid anxieties & political worries to deal with.

  See if you can look after her well darling Charles, & even persuade her to sit in a comfortable chair & REST (occasionally!). She is very precious to us all.

  Such lovely weather here. I do wish that you were looking in later this week, but I hope that the polo will be great fun.

  Again, a thousand thanks for your lovely present.

  Ever your loving

  Granny

  3 April 1968 to Cecil Boyd-Rochfort

  Clarence House

  My dear Cecil,

  Thank you so much for your letter about Capstan. I do hope that he goes on well, of course he was a late foal, & must be still a baby, & will I suppose mature late. I expect that you had this very cold weather at Newmarket, I do hope that it warms up soon. I am quite glad that the National Hunt season is nearing its end, because I have had such a series of disasters! Blood vessels, hearts, bad backs, over reaches, tendons, have taken their toll, & it’s usually the hopeful ones! What awful things horses can do to themselves – and yet, after perhaps a long bleak time, one win can change everything! Hope springs eternal they say, and, I suspect, especially in racing.

  I do hope that you will have a good season, you certainly deserve one.

  I am,

  Yours very sincerely

  Elizabeth R

  6 June 1968 to Rose Kennedy

  [Telegram]

  SO DEEPLY SHOCKED & GRIEVED TO LEARN OF THIS GREAT TRAGEDY.* I SEND YOU MY TRULY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY, & THE ASSURANCE OF MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS IN THIS MOMENT OF SORROW. ELIZABETH R QUEEN MOTHER

  26 December 1968 to Osbert Sitwell

  Windsor Castle

  My dear Sir Osbert,

  How very kind of you to think of me at Christmas time, and to give me such a delightful present.

  The book is charming, & such fun, as I hadn’t read ‘The Lays’† for years, & it still seemed familiar. I do want to send you my warmest thanks.

  My daughter Margaret so much enjoyed her visit to you last summer, & was thrilled with the beauty of everything around Florence. I do hope that I shall be able to come out one day, & that I may have the pleasure of paying you a visit. It seems so long since I saw you, & so many sad things have happened. That Hannah [Gubbay] should have died was terribly sad, and there will never be anyone like her again. The last time I lunched with her, she seemed desperately frail & crippled, but just as funny & crisp as ever. We all spoke of you, & wished
that you could have been there. As it is, it has turned into the last ‘Bowler Lunch’ – those enjoyable feasts which started in Hertford Street, so many years ago. You & Malcolm and James & Bobbety and Alex – what a rattle of conversation – only interrupted by urgent orders from Hannah ‘to have just one bit more chicken’! […] Oh how sad it is when familiar people disappear. But, on a happier note – there are very nice young ones coming on.

  With again my warmest thanks for your charming present,

  I am,

  Yours very sincerely

  Elizabeth R

  11 May 1969 to the Prince of Wales

  HMY Britannia

  My Darling Charles,

  I was so delighted to get your dear letter, and thank you most warmly for writing. I was longing to know how your time was going at Aber, and am so relieved to know that all is going well.

  I can imagine how difficult it must be, to be catapulted from an agreeable & sophisticated base like Cambridge where one has friends, into an utterly strange environment.* Hullo – I’ve picked up a different pen, & it’s much blacker. I think I’ll go on with it!

  I do hope, with all my heart, that you will find it all worth while. As life is really one long experience, I am sure that these long weeks will add a lot to yours.

  The press are perfectly foul, but I am sure that they don’t achieve their object (if they even have one) by being beastly. The English don’t really like it, & darling, I can’t tell you what charming and heartwarming things I am always hearing about you. Everyone loves you, & is proud of you, and I absolutely know that you will be able to do wonderful things for this country, not only in leadership, but by being your own kind hearted, loving and intelligent & funny self! It would be intolerable if one couldn’t laugh, even when things are dismal, and I love your jokes! Ever since you were a little boy, you have made your desiccated old grandmother laugh immoderately, & long may you continue to do so.

  I am longing to see you again, & hear more of your life in Wales – the Welsh people are so nice, & I am sure that they will take you to their hearts.