I am,
Ever yours,
Elizabeth R
4 June 1974 to Sir John Betjeman
Clarence House
Dear Sir John*
I was so pleased when you gave me a copy of your lovely words at Stratford, & I would like to send you a word of very warm thanks. Your poem was so perfect for the occasion. It was such a happy day, wasn’t it? The English are so splendid when they are doing something for somebody else, and all those volunteers, having achieved so much, made one feel ‘hooray’. It was wonderful that you could be there, and did you not think that all those good people lining the river gave one an excellent feeling that England is absolutely all right. It was all such a splendidly un-BBC occasion. Too many nice ordinary people enjoying a nice ordinary occasion is strictly against the rules!
With again my thanks for the encouragement you gave to all those dedicated people on Saturday,
I am,
Yours sincerely
Elizabeth R
14 July 1974 to Lord Clark
Clarence House
My dear Lord Clark,
I was talking to Jock Colville the other day about the fascinating Churchill Centenary Exhibition which is being held in the Fine Rooms in Somerset House, and which is, alas!, languishing for lack of visitors.
This seems a very sad state of affairs, and we both felt that if it were at all possible for you to be wonderfully kind and do a few minutes’ film for the BBC, walking around the Exhibition, talking partly about Somerset House & the magnificent ceilings and chimney pieces etc, & partly about two or three of the most interesting things in the Exhibition itself that it would be the most marvellous help.
A great many people do not seem to know that Somerset House even exists, and if you felt able to contemplate doing this thing, I am sure that people would flock.
I do hope that I am not asking too much, but you are really the only person who can do something like this, and you would make it all sound so exciting, and so worth while.
Apparently the BBC would be thrilled to have a few minutes from you on ‘Nationwide’, and Jock would be only too happy to take you on a preliminary ‘run-around’, if the idea appeals to you at all.
Winston was such an extraordinary man, & the Exhibition does give a splendid picture of his gloriously varied life – and it seems a waste that more people do not see it.
Please forgive me for bothering you with this plea, and if you feel at all disinclined, of course I shall understand.
Jock’s (he is now Sir Jock!) address is 19 St James’s Square.
I adored your last book, and I long for Civilisation* to be shown again – it should really appear every year.
I am, Yours very sincerely,
Elizabeth R
18 August 1974 to Sir Ralph Anstruther
The Castle of Mey
My dear Ralph†
It was too sad that you could not come to the COCKTAIL PARTY, as I am sure you would have adored it! Everyone (like the Hildreths) brought utterly unknown ladies, and Mrs M. became quite intoxicated. There was an awful moment when I was talking to the Baronetess and the Provost of Wick, & he said ‘to whom have I the honour of speaking’, & then of course I could only mutter feebly, as I could not remember her name, & then, fortunately I remembered Ackergill, so all was well, & he instantly invited her to visit the Town House & ‘write her name’!
About the Drum Horse. It really is nothing to do with either Alastair [Aird] or Martin [Gilliat], only me!* Some years ago my daughter Margaret presented a Drum Horse to her Regiment & then they amalgamated with one of mine, & when this old boy retired, I thought that it would be nice to present one in my turn.†
John Miller kindly ransacked Edinburgh for a suitable horse, & four arrived at the Mews in London, & the Queen & I chose this huge fellow, who has been drawing a dray, poor thing. He is now at Knightsbridge Barracks, where the Blues are trying to tidy him up, & make him look smart. So, he can safely be paid for.
So beautiful here – we have been so fortunate, & I wish that you could have had a little longer of Caithness.
Yours
ER
4 March 1975 to Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort
Clarence House
My dear Cecil,
It was most kind of you to write to me about Tammuz’s victory in the Schweppes Hurdle.* It was a great thrill & after about 25 years as an owner of horses running under National Hunt rules, my very first big race! As you say, it was an extra pleasure that the horse was bred by the Queen, & perhaps Highlight will breed another good one. Of course, Porchy† was very pleased, as Tammuz was a Tamerlaine child!
I was very interested to hear that High Veldt has done so well in South Africa. I remember that Charles [Moore] had a great opinion of him. It was very sad that Aureole had to be put down this year. I was so fond of the dear old horse, & he was always the first person that I went to visit at Sandringham. He was a real character, wasn’t he? and remained so into his old age. And what an influence he (& Feola‡) have had on breeding all over the world.
It is very hard nowadays to find a good 3 mile steeplechaser, so, don’t forget, if you see a hopeful young horse in Ireland, do let me know!
Next week, Cheltenham, I have 2 runners – One Sunyboy (by Mourne) which I bought from Lady Beaverbrook this last year; Isle of Man by Manicou (my old horse) & if the going is good Game Spirit§ in the Gold Cup. Cheltenham is not my lucky course, but, thank goodness, in racing, hope springs eternal!
With my thanks again for your kind letter.
Elizabeth R
23 May 1975 to the Prince of Wales
Clarence House
My Darling Charles,
It seems such a LONG time since I have seen you, and the only glimpse I have had of your dear phig in recent weeks is a picture of you rising from below the ice, wearing, in a traditional Goon manner,* a BOWLER.
We missed you TERRIBLY at Easter, a time I always love at Windsor, only a small family party, & as a treat, tea by the lake at Frogmore.
This year, for some reason, I had tea with Mabel & an occasional Edward, on our ONLY tea picnic, and we had a most enjoyable gossip about the whole family!
[…] I went to Persia for a week really because I have always longed to see Persepolis. That was a real pleasure, & more moving than I had ever imagined, but apart from the 2 Poets’ tombs at Sheraz and Persepolis, I found the whole country agitating and uncertain. I don’t really like being driven at 60 miles an hour through crowded streets, with so many police, & so many soldiers surrounding one – and I do feel for the Shah trying to be a ‘do-Gooder’ AND a practical
Dictator.†
They loved your short stay there, and I think that more visits from people like us (non political) might give them a lift.
I went up to Birkhall for a week (I have just got back) and the river was too high for most of the pools, & only dear old Polveir produced a fish! I fished every day for 6 days and only managed to catch one at, literally, the 12th hour before flying South, in Polveir. Pearl, who was by then becoming almost suicidal at the horrid behaviour of the salmon, was over the moon with pleasure and relief!
I still feel a lovely glow on skin and spirit from those few days in the most heavenly part of Scotland. To hear the birds singing, & the river flowing by gives one fresh hope & courage. How fortunate we are to be able to be quiet and free in that glorious place. Do come back soon, and in the meantime (as they say at Balmoral), I send you a great deal of love, from your utterly decrepit
Granny.
1 July 1975 to Benjamin Britten
[No address]
Dear Ben,
The day that I spent at Aldeburgh will always remain in my memory as a truly happy one. It was a real pleasure to come to the Red House and talk with you and Peter and Peg* – and that delicious cold champagne was just right after a journey by helicopter!
The concert was pure bliss, and I was deeply moved by your glorious new piece.
It
was so very kind to have a Patron’s Choice, and I felt very humble & most honoured to be allowed such a treat!†
It was, altogether, a lovely day, and, I wasn’t late for lunch!
It is so marvellous that you are feeling stronger and I hope that you will continue to feel better & better, & that more wonderful music will come pouring out, to delight & enchant us all – with my warmest thanks to you and to Peter for so much kindness.
I am, ever yours
Elizabeth R
PS Ruth and I came home all aglow!
14 August 1975 to Queen Elizabeth II
The Castle of Mey
My Darling Lilibet
I have so many things to thank you for! The beautiful candlesticks, the wonderful surprise of Ben Britten’s music,* & the glorious dinner party. It was angelic of you to think of so many delightful and spoiling things, and, darling, I am so very grateful and send you a million thanks.
The candlesticks are so original & pretty, and I shall enjoy using them enormously. As for the music, it is so exciting, and when one thinks how ill Ben has been, the fact that he had the will & the ability to write something special, is really marvellous. I never dreamt that I could ever be the recipient of such a ‘Birthday Offering’, and I am so thrilled, and so touched.
It was such a wonderful thought on your part.
The birthday dinner was simply heavenly, and I can never thank you enough for such a lovely celebration. So many dear friends, all enjoying themselves like anything, made it all so happy. Also, I thought that it was wonderful of Philip to come all the way up for it, as I know how hard it is to tear oneself away from the dear yacht.
It made a perfect end to an extraordinary day, and Fergie & Mary [Strathmore] & me ended up by having a cup of tea in the garden at Clarence House!
Is it really all right if I come for a couple of days on Wed. 27th? If you are quite sure that it won’t wreck your party?
With all my love,
your very loving
Mummy
18 August 1975 to Benjamin Britten
The Castle of Mey
Dear Ben,
I don’t think that I have ever had a more wonderful surprise in my life, than the moment when I set eyes on your Birthday Hansel. I am absolutely thrilled and delighted by this glorious birthday gift, and I do want to thank you with all my heart for your kindness in composing this very special and exciting music. The poems are so touching and so beautiful, and Ruth has just been playing the harp music on our old upright here!
I love the Early Walk, the Sweet Rosebud, & his – Burns’ – touching love of little birds like linnets. I have never heard ‘My Hoggie’ – poor Hoggie, what a charming little poem. And I love ‘Flow gently, sweet Afton’, what lovely things you have chosen for your lovely music.
I honestly do not think that anything in my life has given me greater pleasure than your birthday gift.
It is very precious to me, and will, I am sure, give joy to your countless grateful admirers.
I am, ever yours
Elizabeth R
PS I often think of the happy day I spent at Aldeburgh.
1 September 1975 to Queen Elizabeth II
Birkhall
My Darling Lilibet
Another heavenly three days at Balmoral has flown by, and I am writing to thank you a thousand times for my lovely visit. It is such a tremendous treat to be with you & the children, and every moment was very precious. There is something so uplifting & courage making about being with young people – Charles is so funny, & makes one laugh & also so serious about serious things, such a good mixture, and Andrew is so marvellously uninhibited, & so gay and good natured, one can only feel cheerful with him! Also the darling little ones, so good to see them growing the right way. It was all so happy, & so glorious to have a chance of a talk with you and I really felt set up by Sunday!
There is something rather like hard work when one is in one’s own house, the food, the dramas, the grumbles, the guests (getting them out of the house!), landrovers always breaking down etc etc, so I did feel wonderfully rested at Balmoral.
With a million thanks from your very loving
Mummy
19 September 1975 to the Duke of Edinburgh
Birkhall
Darling Philip,
Thank you so much for sending me ‘Trousered Apes’. From what I have already read, I feel that I shall agree most heartily with what Professor Williams says! It is so terribly easy for people to get so used to reading & seeing violence & vulgarity that they come to accept it as normal.*
There is one thing that I wanted to talk to you about the other evening, then forgot! There is a great machine cutting the grass & weeds on each side of the road past this house from Ballater.
The verge is only a couple of feet wide, & has never been cut before, & I feel is immensely valuable to the little birds & small animals – & insects.
Possibly you could get C. McHardy on to it & think of what a dead waste of ratepayers’ money!†
Much love, ever your devoted Mama,
Elizabeth
24 November 1975 to Prince Paul of Yugoslavia
Clarence House
My dear Paul
[…]
A very sad thing has happened. My beloved nephew John Elphinstone died very suddenly some days ago. It was a heart attack. He has always been to me like a semi son, and I now feel my heart very heavy.
He suffered rather badly in the War, & had a horrid time in Colditz, but he was a dear, kind & very brave person – and never grumbled about all he went through. It is terrible, as one gets older, to lose the younger generation, isn’t it? You have always been so affectionate towards my family, that I wanted you to know this latest very real loss.
Please don’t forget that your room is waiting for you, whenever you feel like a few days in London.
With much love to Olga & yourself,
ever your affect:
Elizabeth
25 November 1975 to the Prince of Wales
Clarence House
My Darling Charles,
The Gala at Covent Garden in aid of the Royal Opera Benevolent Fund is on Dec 18. I do hope you will be able to come that evening?
Also I would love you to meet Prince and Princess Clary* if you ever have a moment. They had huge properties in Czechoslovakia (Bohemia), and have lost EVERYTHING (even his own private diaries which are in a museum in Prague) and never a murmur of regret or boo-hoo. Splendid old people, & the last of that Great Generation.
Is lunch any good […] perhaps you could give me a ring one evening?
I do hope that all is going well with you. I have a heavy heart at the moment, as John E was so much part of my life, past & present, & such a dear, good person.
With all my love, ever your loving GRANNY
19 February 1976 to Fulke Walwyn
Clarence House
My dear Fulke,
Just a line to say how thrilled I was that Sunyboy brought off the 300th winner at Ascot. You had got him on such good form, and he won so well, and it was lovely that it all happened on ‘home ground’.
What a relief! Now we can run the horses without this awful 299 hanging over us.
With my thanks to you, I am, yours ever,
Elizabeth R
25 April 1976 to Queen Elizabeth II
The Royal Lodge
My Darling Lilibet
It was so wonderful being with the family for Easter at Windsor, and I don’t think that I ever remember a more beautiful or peaceful week-end. I had been looking forward intensely to coming, and I can’t tell you how revived I felt after those few days!
Somehow the three months after Christmas had been very difficult, what with one thing & another, and nowadays the only places I can relax in, are when I come to you, three times at Windsor, & the weekend at Balmoral.
It is really a joy, and such an enormous help to be surrounded by the darling children, & so many old jokes crop up, which also helps. You
& Philip are always so angelic to me, and I always hope that I am not like Granny & stay too long!
I galvanized myself just enough to go to Sandown & present the Whitbread Gold Cup* to a dear little dairy farmer from Devonshire, who had bred & trained the horse himself, bought the mare on Dartmoor with a lot of black cattle, & sent her eventually to a £10 stallion, & one felt that this is the lovely side of National Hunt racing, & what it’s all about.
The flat horses all looked wonderfully well, & Riboboy seemed to win very well. John Howard de Walden’s horse was 3rd, & looked a splendid type.*
Darling, how can I ever thank you enough for my heavenly visit – & don’t forget about getting the pages to kneel & do the Garter up, they should be lissom boys, and will save us the agony of watching an aged Knight, purple in the face, trying to do the nearly impossible.† It’s the difficulty of getting up which is so agonizing. John Abergavenny was very nearly brought down last year!!
Your very loving
Mummy
23 September 1976 to Dame Freya Stark‡
Birkhall
Dear Dame Freya,
It was a great joy to find the third volume of your ‘Letters’ waiting for me here, and it has come at exactly the right moment for I have just got to the end of volume II. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to reading it, or how deeply grateful I am to you for giving me such a perfect present.
I have enjoyed volume II quite enormously, and I am still feeling stunned at the thought of you riding 8 hours a day whilst having MEASLES! I remember how ill I felt when I had it years ago, and I cannot imagine how you survived. Sheer courage and determination I expect.
I am thrilled to start on volume III, and I think that I told you that I read one or two letters each day, so I make the reading of the book last a lovely long time.
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