17 Bruton Street
My dear Darling
I am just writing you a very little letter, which I hope you will get on Friday or Saturday. There won’t be anything in it at all, except to say that I shall be thinking about you when you get this, & hoping that everything will go wonderfully well. I am quite sure it will. Also, I might add that I do love you Bertie, & feel certain that I shall more & more. I shall miss you terribly. You are such an Angel to me. Goodbye till Sunday – may it come quickly
from your always and forever loving E
4 February 1923 to Beryl Poignand
York Cottage
My dearest M
Of course you must not dream of coming home just to do presents! I thought you said you were coming almost at once in your last letter – that’s why I wrote! I can easily do them, and May loves doing them too – so that’s alright. Also nobody may send me anything. I was regretting very much that I haven’t cultivated some very RICH people! All my friends are poor. We’ve had a delicious and restful week down here, & return to hard work in London tomorrow.
It is a bit of a strain staying with one’s future in laws, whoever they are. Mine have all been too angelic to me I must say. Let me know when you are coming home.
Oh, Ernest wrote a wonderful letter and sent messages to you.
You must meet my fiancé soon. I hope you’ll like him. He is a darling really – & very shy!
Au revoir, & please don’t come home. I only suggested it because I thought you were anyway coming.
Your loving
Elizabeth
Diary: Tuesday 13 February 1923
Woke at 9.30. Up by 11.30. Mother & I went off to have my throat done.* Called at Upper Brook St & asked after Sidney. Operation went off well. Home 1. Bertie came at 3. Then the Queen & her brother Cambridge [Adolphus, Marquess of Cambridge] came. They looked at the presents, & the Queen stayed till 4.30. Lady Mary Trefusis called for her. Colonel & Mrs Erskine to tea. Bertie went to the House of Lords, & then came back. At 8.15 he, the Prince of Wales, & Prince George called for me, & we four dined at Claridge’s. Very gay dinner. Then we went to 9 o’clock revue – very amusing. Giles & Anne† joined us there – also Bruce [Ogilvy]. We talked in the Manager’s room! The others went to a ball (charity) & we four supped & danced at the Berkeley. Great fun. Bed 1.30.
Undated [February 1923] to the Duke of York
17 Bruton Street
Bertie darling, I am so terribly disappointed at not being able to come with you today. I think I must have got a chill of sorts, as I feel like death with a terrific headache. I did so want to come with you today, it would have been heavenly – a day in the country with you. I tried to get up, but I would have been a miserable companion for you darling I know, so I shall probably stay in bed, & I may feel alright tonight. I do hope you will have a delicious day, don’t worry about me. I do sometimes catch chills like this worse luck, & I shall think of you in the country. I am so disappointed Bertie you angel,
Your very and always loving E
Tuesday undated [13 March 1923] to the Duke of York
Glamis Castle
My Darling Bertie
I wish you were here – it is really too marvellous, and I know it would do you good too. When I arrived this morning the sun was just rising over the Sidlaw hills, and made the snow on the Grampians look pink & heavenly. It was wonderful to be able to see about twenty miles instead of down one London street! It would be more delicious if you were here too. I hate to think of you in horrible London all by yourself.
My cold is worse today, but I expect it will very soon go here – I only hope you won’t catch it.
I love Glamis.
Bertie, while I remember it, will it be approved do you think if I ask Betty Cator to be my bridesmaid? She is such a darling, I would like to have her.
Don’t worry about White Lodge & furniture. I am quite certain we shall make it enchanting – you & I; so please don’t fuss yourself little darling. You are such an angel to me always, and I hate to think of you worrying about anything. ‘Keep calm and don’t be bullied – rest if you can’ is my advice!!
Forgive this scrawl, I want to catch the early post – au revoir till I write again, & be good darling,
Your always loving Elizabeth.
PS I miss you very much. Do you miss me?
Wednesday undated [14 March 1923] to the Duke of York
Glamis Castle
Bertie darling
I hope you are well & happy – I am thank you – I haven’t heard from you yet, but the evening post comes late. I am writing this to catch the night mail, & David Arthur the odd man (very odd) is waiting to what he calls ‘pop up’ on his bicycle & post it!
Another marvellous day – blue sky & sun & a little cold.
I am just going off to see if there are any duck on the pond, & Peter will chaperone me – it is light so late now, which is heavenly. […]
My guides have got a present for me, & are giving it tomorrow – isn’t it delicious of them.
I was photographed when out today by a low friend of Daddee’s. Most annoying, otherwise everybody has left me in peace which is very tactful.
All the people here hope you’ll be good to me! I hope so too!
Good bye darling – why aren’t you here.
Till Saturday,
Your very loving
E
Diary: Monday 19 March 1923
Woke at 9. Breakie 10. […] Bertie came round, & we went & looked at furniture at Harris & also went to Carrington. […] Then mother & I went to Handley Seymour* & looked at hundreds of lovely clothes. Chose my wedding dress.
Saturday undated [31 March 1923] to the Duke of York
St Paul’s Walden Bury
Darlingest Bertie
I was enchanted to get your delicious letter this morning – thank you so much. A.F.A.G, those are your initials aren’t they? I wonder what you do all day? I read in the paper today that you walked to Frogmore† & had tea. Having never seen Frogmore, I imagine it as a large white Tomb full of frogs! I can’t think why, but that is the impression it gives me – isn’t it silly?
David and I walked down to church in the little Tin Chapel, but no bird got in this time to amuse us. We stayed an hour and a quarter, & by then Mr Whitehouse had only just finished the service on the First Word, and we became rather depressed & left! At that rate the service would last 6 hours.
Father arrived today bringing darling Peter & Barson – it is delicious having them back again.
Bertie, do you know you have got a most changeable face? It is too odd, sometimes you look a completely different person, always nice though, but I must not flatter you because then your head will swell, & you will have to buy new hats. That would be very sad, wouldn’t it? […]
I wish you were here. Why haven’t you got a small aeroplane, then you could fly over here for an hour or two, get thoroughly hurt as usual, & return to Windsor, a scratched and bruised but let us hope a happy wreck.
What rot this is, & I have got about forty letters to write, curse it.
Well, s’long Bertie, don’t forget your Honey Lamb will you? Darling B, you are an Angel. Your as ever loving E
PS For Gawd’s sake don’t leave my letters lying about
Diary: Thursday 5 April 1923
[At Windsor] Woke at 8. Had breakie in bed. Up by 10. Bertie went out riding at 11.30. I talked to the Prince of Wales for a bit. After lunch the King showed me his room & played some gramophone records. Then the Queen took me & Bertie all round the house – marvellous things. At 4 B & I went out to tea with the King & Queen to Sir Harry Legge. Very nice man. Home 6.30. Talked. The P. of W & Prince George left this morning. Dinner 8.30. Lord A. Innes-Ker & Lord —— to dine. Much chaff. Bed 12.
12 April 1923 to D’Arcy Osborne
17 Bruton Street
Dear Mr Osborne,
Thank you so very very much for the two books. I really can’t tell you how much I love them,
and I wish I could thank you sufficiently. It is delicious of you and I could see at once that they were a thought-out present, which gives me infinitely more pleasure than eight ropes of pearls from a new oil Lord. They are divinely bound and I am going to take them up with me to read in bed now, which I hope you won’t mind. Thank you a thousand times, it really is a marvellous present, and just what I like. I haven’t found any magic stones lately – have you?
It is nearly midnight and the only time I get for writing. There are fifty people I must write to, but I had to thank you first, because I love your present. I wish you would come in one evening if you can, & drink a cocktail & exchange a few ideas on MAGIC and POLITICS and SPIRITUALISM and RELIGION, and GEORGE ROBEY and AMERICANS and all the terribly interesting things in this world. If you will ring me up, I am always here after tea. Also I want to ask you about a story you told me once, in the hot sun at Bicton – I remember it because it sent a cold shiver from my head way down to my heels.
I hope you are well, and that thrilling things happen to you. And thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Lyon
Diary: Tuesday 24 April 1923
[…] Terribly busy. Bertie to lunch – he & I went to the Palace, & attended a servants’ party. Had tea with the Queen & King. […] Bertie & I dined with James at Claridge’s. He is engaged to Rachel!* The party was him, Bertie, Mike, David, Arthur, Francis & Freddy, me, Rachel, Katie, Betty, Mary Thynne, Mary Cavendish & Hermione.† We dined [in] a private room – then went to Hippodrome then to the Berkeley & danced. I was in good form! Went home, & talked to Bertie. Then talked to Mike for ages. Bed 3.30.
Diary: Wednesday 25 April 1923
Woke at 10 feeling very ill! Miss Poignand came in. I talked on the telephone, & did a million things before lunch. Betty Cator came in. Bertie to lunch – he & I went off at 3.30 to B.P. Large crowd as usual! Mrs Lindsay Carnegie presented an address from Forfarshire – in B’s room. Then we went downstairs, & attended an afternoon party. Shook hands with hundreds of people. Very tired. Had tea with the King & Queen & Duke of Connaught‡ & [the] Lascelles.§ Mother too. She & I got home 6. Very tired. Bruce came in – also Katie – Jock to dinner. Felt terribly moved when I said good-night to the darling boys [Mike and David] & mother. I adore them. Bed 11.
Diary: Thursday 26 April 1923
Woke at 8.30. Up by 10. Put on my wedding dress, aided by Suzanne & Catherine. It looked lovely. All the family went off early, also mother. Miss Chard came & talked to me. At 11.12 the carriage came, & father & I started off for the Abbey. Lots of people in B St., & crowds in the streets. Did not feel very nervous. Bertie smiled at me when I got up to him – & it all went off well. We had a long drive home to B.P. Crowds very kind. We were photographed, & also went out on the balcony. Then luncheon. Sat between Bertie & the King. After lunch talked & cut cake etc. Went to change about 3.40. Mother & Anne* came – then May & Rosie, Mike & David & father. Awful saying goodbye. B & I drove off at 4.15 & had a special to Bookham. Very tired & happy. Bed 12.
The Duke of York was married to Elizabeth Bowes Lyon on 26 April 1923 at Westminster Abbey. The ceremony was followed by a wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace, after which the couple left for their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey, the Surrey home of Mrs Ronald Greville.
Friday undated [27 April 1923] to Lady Strathmore
Polesden Lacey
Dorking
My Darling Angel,
I do hope you weren’t too terribly tired yesterday. I felt so worried about you, & after all these last three months you must be exhausted. I could not say anything to you about how utterly miserable I was at leaving you & Mike & David & father. I could not ever have said it to you – but you know I love you more than anybody in the world, mother, and you do know it, don’t you? Bertie adores you too, & he is being too marvellous to me, & so thoughtful. He really is a darling – I hope you all like him.
I stayed in bed all this morning to rest & read the papers, and am just going down to lunch in my old blue tweed! Poor Catherine is miserable because I won’t wear anything new – I hate new things!
This is a delicious house, & the food is too marvellous, & it seems too funny not to be dashing about! I think the wedding went off alright, don’t you? Do write, angel, from your very, very loving Elizabeth.
Do tell Mike & David that Billy Merson* sent us a telegram last night from the Hippodrome.
28 June 1923 to D’Arcy Osborne
White Lodge
Richmond Park
Dear Mr Osborne,
It was very nice of you to write, and I have quite given up whooping.† As to asking after my health, I am afraid I talked so hard, that you probably would not have been able to ask, even if you’d thought of it?
You must come down here one day if you have time. When it is hot in London (& people always look so nasty then, which I hate don’t you?) it is quite cool & delicious here. So sometime you must throw the Eastern question firmly aside, turn your most magic stone three times from East to West, & start for Richmond.
As to what to call me – I really don’t know! It might be anything – you might try ‘All Hail, Duchess’, that is an Alice in Wonderland sort of Duchess, or just ‘Greetings’ or ‘What Ho, Duchess’ or ‘Say, Dutch’ – in fact you can please yourself, as it will certainly please me. […]
Yours very sincerely
Elizabeth
19 September 1923 to Queen Mary
Invermark*
Edzell
My Darling Mama
I want to thank you so very very much for my delightful fortnight at Balmoral, and for having asked us there. It was the greatest fun, and I enjoyed every moment of it, and we were both very sad at leaving on Friday. Everybody was so kind and nice to me, and I was so happy with you.
After two lovely days on Saturday & Sunday, it is pouring with rain today! However, they have bravely gone out stalking, but I am afraid it does not look very hopeful. Even though I am the wife, daughter and sister of ‘guns’, I fail to see what pleasure there can be in walking about all day in an icy wind and driving rain!!
Thank you again so very much for my wonderful visit to Balmoral,
With much love,
I am, your very loving daughter-in-law
Elizabeth
Undated [27 September 1923] to the Duke of York
Somewhere in England (on train from Darlington)
My Darling Darlington
I’ve just had luncheon and also my pencil has broken. So you probably won’t be able to read this at all! I wish you were here, but I’m glad for you to be out on the ‘mower’ [moor] instead of in this stuffy beastly train. The waiter said ‘May I have the pleasure of serving you’ each time before he gave me any food, which made me long to laugh. I think we ought to train Seton [Steward at White Lodge] to say it too, don’t you?
There was the usual crowd of slightly hysterical females at Darlington, who murmured ‘Isn’t she sweet’, gazing fondly at Catherine. I think they thought Hay [the Yorks’ detective] was you. The train is full of odd people. I hope you’ll have a good journey to Glamis, little darling. I send you some kisses and a couple of hugs. I shall miss you horribly till Sunday
Yours forever and always E
This note was scribbled in blue pencil on the inside of the dust jacket of P. G. Wodehouse’s novel Psmith in the City. Wodehouse was one of the Duchess’s favourite authors throughout her life. Asked by Eric Anderson who had given her most pleasure as a writer, she replied, ‘P.G. I suppose … I had older brothers who were at Eton, and of course at Oxford and I think P.G. was all the rage. I think I read them all … If you are feeling very tired or depressed, one page of P.G. and you feel better. You laugh and you’re interested.’
17 October 1923 to D’Arcy Osborne
White Lodge
Dear Mr Osborne
It is too delicious of you to send me two books for the journey to Belgrade.* It really is nice of you to think of it, and I am
very grateful, as the prospect of three days in the train shocks me to a degree, & your books will make all the difference.
I am so glad you don’t mind returning to London as much as you thought you would. Do you ever go to a musical comedy? I think there is nothing to beat them, & the worse, the better. I go occasionally to see the Astaires† dance in ‘Stop Flirting’. Have you seen them – they are delicious, I think.
About Isabel [a young American friend of D’Arcy]. Is a bell necessary on a bicycle. That’s one point against her poor girl. Now let me see –
Against. For.
1.Her name. Sense of humour.
2.American.
3.Eight millions.
4.Indifferent features.
5.No parents. Yes, I think you ought to marry her. The sense of humour balances everything. […]
I must stop now, and turn over the clocks, wind up the piano, & generally prepare for Adventure in the Balkans. I feel it is going to be rather an ordeal, but amusing.
Thank you again so much for the books,
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth
21[22] October [1923] to Lady Strathmore
Palais Royal
Belgrade
My Darling Mother,
Just a hurried line to tell you that we had a very good journey out here, & found a large party, all family. Everything is very funny here, just like a musical comedy! Everything is very unpunctual, & very pompous! Yesterday was a very long day, & tiring, today is Paul’s wedding. I will tell you all about it later, as there is only a few minutes now. Alexander’s wife is ill, so her mother, the Queen of Roumania* has taken the lead in everything, and enjoyed herself wildly! She is very nice though, & they all speak English always. The King of Roumania is too absurd, we get on so well, & he honestly is a pure Bateman.† Alexander gave me a lovely little watch & his order, which spoils all my clothes, as it’s blue & white.
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