Elizabeth R
17 May 1981 to Sir Ralph Anstruther
Clarence House
Dear Ralph,
I thought that [France]* this year was better than ever. Such charming hosts, and lovely chateaux […]
PS I have a strong feeling that BRITTANY is on the tapis for next year. What do you think?
With so much gratitude, I am, ever yours,
Elizabeth R
21 May 1981 to Lady Katharine Farrell
Birkhall
Dearest Kitty,
I am still glowing with pleasure at the memory of that delightful ‘conducted tour’ that you so kindly arranged last Sunday. […] I shall never forget driving up that secret green lane and coming suddenly upon that hidden and mysterious house untouched through the centuries and inhabited by the right sort of rather mysterious people! I liked them so much and they were so kind and welcoming. The house was thrilling, those great beams made granite by age and the garden absolutely crowded with green cones all jostling each other. One felt transported into another age, and what was very nice was the feeling that house and garden were greatly loved. Then back down the green lane into our own age and a delectable tea party with the Carringtons.* I hadn’t been ‘out to tea’ for absolutely ages and I adored it.
And I adore the Carringtons! It’s so comforting to know two people who one can truly admire. […]
With my fond love, ever yours affec:
Elizabeth R
20 October 1981 to the Earl of Snowdon
Clarence House
Dearest Tony,
I was thrilled to receive an invitation to open (or perform the opening ceremony) at the recently completed great bridge† at Old House and I would like to congratulate you most heartily on bringing this great project to a happy conclusion. I have read many articles in the press about the extreme difficulties of the terrain, the depth of water, the strong current, and of course the great length of the many spans. It will be a great pleasure for me to take part in this momentous occasion and I suggest that we have a meeting with your agent at some future date to discuss ways and means and dates. But, bar chaff, it looks so pretty, much at home with the various shrubs and weeping trees. With my love, ever your affectionate ER
23 July 1982 to Andrew Parker Bowles
Clarence House
My dear Andrew
I have been thinking of you so much this week, since the senseless and cruel happenings, and I do want to send you a line of truly heartfelt sympathy.*
That precious men and beloved horses should have to suffer like this, is beyond comprehension, & I think that it has all aroused anger & revulsion everywhere. One feels so proud, that the next day they were riding past here, en route for the Horse Guards, looking magnificent.
I can imagine how agonizing it must have been for you.
I am, ever yours,
Elizabeth R
5 August 1982 to the Prince of Wales
Clarence House
My Darling Charles,
Ten thousand loving thanks to you & Diana for the most useful and badly needed birthday present that one could imagine. All Bishops seem to be ten feet high and six broad, so the splendid chair will receive the Episcopal bottom with comfort & elegance, whilst the Episcopal throat gulps down the post sermon gin and tonic. Perhaps I shall get the chance to relax in it on a week day.
I am so glad you like the little gold mug – a difficult one for even a strong baby to break.*
With so much love & thanks, ever your loving Granny
18 October 1982 to Queen Elizabeth II
Birkhall
My Darling Lilibet
Thinking of you in great heat & chiffon, I write, as usual, in a downpour of rain and thick wool!
It has really never stopped since you left,† and everyone is amazed, & we all ask ‘Where is our lovely frosty Golden October’, to which there seems no answer. But all the same, I would rather be here in the grey days than in London in sunshine.
I follow your travels on the television & papers, and it all sounds fascinating & now, very far away. I do hope not too tiring, tho’ I expect that the yacht is salvation. […]
It is a fortnight since you left, and I always count the days until you return, which means another fortnight, and to think of the immense amount you are doing, & how little I am doing! Pottering down to the Log Cabin, walking back through the wood, which, by the way, I couldn’t do yesterday, because the river had come over the bank & inundated the little path.
I saw Special Leave win at Ascot – he looked splendid & did it so well – I do hope & pray that he goes on well. Michael‡ kindly sent me copies of the photographs of the foals. I like to think of you poring over them & dreaming dreams! […]
Geordie is much better & full of life. Only one back leg is weak, & he manages quite well now that he has learnt which one works at certain important moments!
A great deal of love darling
from your very loving
Mummy
3 December 1982 to Catherine Walwyn
Royal Lodge
My dear Cath,
It was so kind of you to write me such a sweet letter of sympathy last week, and I was very touched by what you said. Everything is now back to normal, except for a slight feeling of jetlag!*
We haven’t had much luck with the horses the last season or two, I feel that poor Fulke has been saddled with a rather unlucky owner! But things will change I am sure, & one always thinks ‘next time’, which is a comfort.
Anyway, I love having horses with Fulke, he is a wonderful trainer, and I always enjoy my times with you & him.
With my warmest thanks,
I am, ever yours affectionately,
Elizabeth R.
8 January 1983 to Edward Cazalet
Sandringham
My dear Edward,
It was so kind of you to send me the book with the fascinating dedication to my naughty cousins!†
The eldest (& naughtiest) was extremely pretty so that might have been a reason!
Anyway, I am delighted to have the book, and send you my warmest thanks, and every possible good wish for 1983,
& I am, ever yours,
Elizabeth R.
17 February 1983 to Sir Charles Johnston
Clarence House
Dear Sir Charles
What a delightful lunch that was yesterday, & I write to thank you and Natasha most warmly for your kindness in asking me to such a truly enjoyable occasion.
It is such a wonderful feeling, eating delicious food amongst the treetops of London, and I felt so happy and relaxed in the warm and friendly atmosphere that you both created.
I greatly enjoyed meeting Mr James* (the first Socialist Democrat† that I have actually met!), and I do hope that I was not too outspoken at lunch about that particular party!
One can’t help feeling a bit uncertain about people who leave the good old Labour party to invent a ‘Social’ (What’s that) ‘Democratic’ (equally mysterious) party – perhaps rather up a Don’s street!!
With again my thanks for a splendid lunch,
& with my love to Natasha
I am, ever yours,
Elizabeth R
28 February 1983 to Queen Elizabeth II
The Royal Lodge
My Darling Lilibet
When I begin a letter to you, I always think, how dreadfully dull it is going to be! and this time it is just the same!
The only really hot news is that Blackie has had his remaining teeth out, (being poisoned says Mr Grimes) and is now sleeping off the effects of the anaesthetic.
Your news is always interesting & thrilling, and thank you very much for your first letter.* I sent it on to Charles & Anne. Now, you are approaching America, & I am hoping that the BBC has turned loyal and will give us some good pictures. They are such nice people (Americans, not BBC), so kind & overwhelming, I really believe that they mean it.
Since you left these shores life goes on much the same. Anne & I have don
e some Ambassadors, & she has been really splendid. […]
You will not be surprised to hear that the reluctant Master Andrew blotted his already tarnished copy book again today at Kempton. He dropped himself out in a very hot race, & then fell! I have an awful feeling that he hates jumping. […]
It is such a comfort to write this to you, because I know you understand one’s feelings, so do forgive me. In fact, I have no one to boo hoo to about the horses – I won’t do it again! Not just yet!
I think about you all the time, we all do, and I am sure that the present tour will do a tremendous lot of good. So much love darling Lilibet, & lots to Philip,
ever your very loving
Mummy
On 20 March 1983 the Prince of Wales, with the Princess of Wales and their son, Prince William, landed in Alice Springs for an official visit to Australia. They were away for over a month. Queen Elizabeth wrote to the Princess of Wales congratulating her on the success of the tour, during which the Princess had been the centre of obsessive media attention. The Princess replied, saying she was ‘enormously touched by your letter – the thought gave me a lot of happiness. Charles is the one who deserves all the credit by showing me what to do, and how to do it, always patient and ready to explain. The whole Tour seems to have helped me a great deal on how to cope with my public duties, so all in all, a good experience!’*
19 April 1983 to the Prince of Wales
Clarence House
My Darling Charles,
The enormous tour seems to be going so well, and I do hope that you are both surviving the strain. It is so nice to be wanted, and this shows through all the pictures & news reels and I do think that you and Diana are being MARVELLOUS.
I remember so well our visit over fifty years ago, all by ship and train – dinner at 6 o’clock etc, and how dreadfully tired one sometimes felt, but, at the same time, uplifted by the love & loyalty shown to us. I don’t think that things have changed too much?
Here everything goes on much the same. Heavy going for the horses, buckets of rain, and everything beginning to come out. At Royal Lodge the magnolias are flowering marvellously, & the camellias [are] very good, and even the tulips are nearly out! You will be coming home to see your garden full of colour.
I do hope that some day you will take on Royal Lodge. So convenient to London and you will carry on the garden, & make it more beautiful!
Darling Charles, thank you so much for your lovely, long, & illuminating letter. It was most interesting to know your views on Australia. I gave it to Mummy to read, & she was also deeply interested.
We all felt rather sad at Easter, with you & Diana in Australia, Andrew in America & Edward in N.Z. and even Sarah [Princess Margaret’s daughter] in Eleuthera. How I look forward to your return, & it is wonderful how much pleasure you have both given, and with so much love, ever your very loving Granny.
18 September 1983 to Fulke Walwyn
Birkhall
My dear Fulke,
Just a line to say how deeply distressed I was to hear the sad news of gallant little Gay George.*
You must feel his loss terribly, because there was something very special about him, wasn’t there?
There is something very touching when courage and beauty go together, and I always loved seeing him in his box when I was looking at my horses.
It so often seems to be the good ones, but they are never forgotten – I am sure.
Please don’t answer this letter, I just wanted to send my sympathy, & I am ever yours,
Elizabeth R.
19 November 1983 to Queen Elizabeth II
Clarence House
My Darling Lilibet,
Your visit to Kenya seems to have gone very well, and I do hope that parts of it were enjoyable and sometimes amusing. There have been many photographs and television pictures, which is splendid. Tho’ you haven’t been away all that long, it seems ages and I look forward so much to your return.
Things go along much the same here, tho’ it seemed very odd not to have you at the Cenotaph and the Albert Hall.
The family came to dinner here after the latter, and they all seemed in good form, and you’ve never seen such complicated eaters and drinkers (or non-drinkers)! Can’t eat meat (it was only little pieces of veal), wouldn’t touch the mirabelles (smelled of brandy) etc etc!
It really was funny, as they are all comparatively young – & very choosy. But they were all very nice. […]
The ground continues iron hard, & I don’t think that I shall have any runners in the near future. The poor trainers are going mad, because they simply can’t get the horses fit. It is very frustrating, & one sees walk-overs for lovely prizes!
Dear old Olav* was very well, and slept happily through the Remembrance at the Albert Hall, only waking up tactfully when there was clapping!
Darling old Blackie is slowing down rather quickly. He occasionally has a good day, but his left eye has gone, and he can only see me about 12 yards away.
I must try and find another couple of dogs, for life would be intolerable without their company. Geordie is very well, and would, I think, accept young ones coming in.
It is always difficult starting again, for these two know one’s every movement – when one gets up or goes to bed, what clothes are hopeful, which car means the country etc etc! […]
All your hats & dresses look lovely on the tele – & you darling.
Much love to Philip, from your very loving Mummy
1 March 1984 to Prince Philip
Clarence House
Darling Philip,
Thank you a thousand times for giving me a copy of your latest book.† I am so looking forward to reading it – I hope that you saw some of the excellent reviews in the papers?
I simply can’t imagine where & how you find the time to write on such very varied subjects, & what research it must involve.
Much love and many thanks from Mama E
6 August 1984 to the Prince of Wales
Clarence House
My Darling Charles,
I simply cannot tell you how touched I was that you made that dash from plane to plane, to come to lunch on my birthday. It made all the difference in the world, and thank you a thousand times.
And I must thank you for the charming table for the terrace at Royal Lodge – just what I needed and wanted, a perfect birthday present. You really are an angel.
It will be wonderful if you can manage those few days at Birkhall in October. I think now of the beauty of the hills, and the peace of mind that comes when one walks on them, no screaming police sirens & no hurry hurry – oh bliss.
Once again, a million thanks darling Charles for your dash here – and your lovely gift. I do hope that your visit went well.
So much love, from your devoted Granny
3 October 1984 to Queen Elizabeth II
The Castle of Mey
My Darling Lilibet
I hope that all is going well in Canada, and that you are not totally exhausted. It sounds terribly strenuous. […]
Last week I went over to the Isle of Man, & opened the Commonwealth Conference for you. They all seemed happy together, & were going for endless bus rides round the Island, which sounded very dull! I stayed with a nice Admiral called Cecil, last C-in-C Malta I think, & they were most kind.* It is rather curious that I have been both to the Isle of Man & Northern Ireland within a year, & in both places so many memories of darling Rosie, and the gardens she had made & left behind her.†
On Monday I went down to Rosyth to the re-commissioning of Resolution, & lunch with the Admiral, another nice one! I went all round the submarine full of mysteries, and full of cheerful and delightful sailors! Naval people are always so easy & nice to talk to, don’t you find? […]
With so much love darling Lilibet, from your very loving
Mummy
6 February 1985 to Queen Elizabeth II
Clarence House
My Darling Lilibet,
How can I even begi
n to thank you for that wonderful visit to Sandringham? It was pure bliss from beginning to end, and I came away feeling a totally new person. It is like a galvanizing rest cure, I suppose some of it comes from being with you & the family, and the rest being able to go out in the good air, & being able to spend a lot of time with the horses, and being able, once again, to live a happy family life.
You are such a kind angel to me, and I suppose that you are one of the few people that I can talk to freely, & it is all wonderful.
I do mind so much what happens to you all, & long for you to have peace & happiness in your own home.
Darling, a million grateful thanks for your endless thoughtful kindness, from your very very loving
Mummy
22 March 1986 to Henrietta Knight
The Royal Lodge
Dearest Henrietta*
It was so dear of you to give me that lovely photograph of Dangerous Game, and I do hope that he gets a run before the end of the season. Fulke did not think that he was quite ready for Friday, perhaps coming over from Ireland is a bit of a shock, new food, new water, new lad, but he seems to have settled down very happily.
I still miss Doctor McCluskie very much! He was such a lovely young horse, & I had watched him growing & maturing, & perhaps one had one’s dreams too soon!
Congratulations on all your winners – it is marvellous.
With my love and thanks,
I am, ever yours affect.
Elizabeth R
10 April 1986 to Queen Elizabeth II
Clarence House
My Darling Lilibet
I did so love my Easter week at Windsor, and send a million thanks for all the fun and kindness. It is always a joy to be with you and to have such a glorious family party as well, made it all very special. I miss it all dreadfully when I leave, and the first day or two here were very depressing and DULL!
I thought that Sarah* fitted in very happily, didn’t you? She is such a cheerful person, and seems to be so thankful & pleased to be part of a united family, & is truly devoted to darling Andrew. It seems most hopeful which is a comfort. […]
Counting One's Blessings Page 61
