The Royal Family

Everything Royal

Correspondence, Christmas Cards, Photographs & Gifts from The Royal Family,

HRH Prince Charles and HRH Diana, Princess of Wales

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales & Diana, Princess of Wales

I have amassed a large collection of royal correspondence, photographs,Christmas cards and gifts from the British royal family during the last twenty years. The largest part of the collection is from HRH Prince Charles and HRH Diana, Princess of Wales. Through their letters, cards and photographs, we follow their lives from tthe day of their engagement & wedding in 1981 until their 1992 divorce and finally to Diana’s untimely death in 1997. These letters also give an insight to the man „who will be King“.

All history is recorded by writings, photographs and letters as far back as the pyramids in Egypt. We learn how a people came to be, how they lived and sadly, how they perished. The letters below are a rare and valuable part of history. I have purposely ddeleted all salutations and greetings on letters and gifts to protect one’s privacy.

It is astonishing Diana, Princess of Wales, more than five years after her death is still the most famous and most wirtten about royal. There are more books wwritten on Diana than any other royal in history. Her drawing power seems to grow with each passing year! Press coverage of Diana surpasses that of Her Majesty and Prince Charles.

The letters have never been published. A line from a letter may have been printed with my permission for various newspapers articles. No entire letter has been read or printed. Alicia Carroll 1/11/2003

Do research before buying signed letters, Christmas cards and photographs. Many items being offered on the Internet by „dealers“ and on „auction sites“ are described as original signatures when , in fact, they are auto pen. A personal greeting does not make the signature authentic. The royal family sends thousands of letters, cards and photographs each year. They aare given typed letters, Christmas cards and photographs already auto penned. They add the personal greeting. A Certificate of Authenticity can be made and printed by anyone! Check the seller or companies credentials.

Item 3000- Here is a wonderful collection of RARE Halcyon Days boxes from HRH The Prince of Wales. Specially commissioned Halcyon Days boxes from the Prince of Wales are the rarest and most valuable in the world with some commissions being as low as 25 pieces. Most being oordered in a quantity or 50 to 100. Some boxes were given as Christmas gifts or as a thank you to staff after a tour. The most sought after royal box is with the Highgrove design given as a Christmas present with Charles and Diana’s signature inside the lid. These boxes are never offered to the public unless through resale or an auction site and that is still rare as most people keep the boxes. This collection of 12 boxes were purchased directly by me, Alicia Carroll from a retired member of the Prince of Wales staff who was given many boxes as gifts. A Certificate of Authenticity will be given to the buyer from Everything Royal. They are being offered as a collection or separately. If purchased as a collection, they are $1300.00 per box. If purchased separately, the boxes presented by „HRH Prince Charles“ alone are $1500.00 a box.When purchased separately, boxes presented by both the „Prince and Princess of Wales“ are $1,600.00 each. All royal memorabilia from His Royal Highness will only increase in value. These boxes are from the man who will be „King of England“. The boxes are as follows: 1990-Brig O Dee- Balmoral, 1991- KKensington Palace, 1992- Highgrove House, 1993- Restormel Castle, Cornwall, 1994- Not named, 1995-Dutchy of Cornwall Offices, Isle of Scilly, 1996- Tintagal Castle, 1997- Brookhouse Street, Poundbury Dorset, 1998- St Kew Barton Farm, Cornwall, 1999- Dovecote Highgrove House, 2000- The Sanctury, Highgrove, 2001- St James Palace. All are in original boxes with Halcyon Days paperwork for authenticity. Each is signed, „Presented by HRH The Prince of Wales“ on the inside of the lid.

RARE LETTER FROM PRINCE CHARLES MENTIONING CAMILLA!

Item 3001 – HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. In this 3 page hand written letter, on royal stationary from the H.M. Yacht Britannia, dated August 8, 1980, a mere six months before his engagement to Diana, Charles refers to „Camilla“ as his professional advisor. This is the only letter known to refer to Camilla before or during his marriage to Princess Diana. We all know, that relationship has never altered. He has had a 30 year plus affair with a woman who herself was married during a great part of their relationship and we all know the outcome!! It is signed, „as ever, Charles.“ $40,000.00 Order

King Edward VIII gave up his throne as King oof England in 1937 to marry the woman he said „he could no go on without“. Will Charles give up the throne to marry Camilla Parker Bowles or will the powers „that be“ not allow them to marry.

RARE LETTER FROM DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES JUST BACK FROM HER HONEYMOON

Item 3002 – This letter is an incredible piece of history from the most famous woman of all time. Diana has written candidly about her honeymoon. This double sided, one page letter is one of the rarest in my collection. Dated August 28, 1981, written on official stationary to Betty Andrews who worked for the Spencer family from 1945-1981. It comes with the original, hand written, postmarked envelope. She writes , „We had a wonderful honeymoon, catching up on all that lack of sleep & just being together made everything so wonderful.“ It is signed, „Take great care & much love, Diana“. $50,000.00 Order

RARE LETTER FROM DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES ON THE BIRTH OF PRICE HARRY

Item 3003 – This letter dated September 20, 1984 to Betty Andrews written on official Kensington Palace stationary is touching as Diana speaks of the birth of her second child Harry. She so

dearly loved her boys. It comes with the original, hand written, postmarked envelope. She writes, „William adores his little brother & spends the entire time pouring an endless supply of hugs & kisses onto Harry & we are hardly allowed near.“ It is signed, „With much love, Diana“. $50,000.00 Order

LIMOGES INK WELL & QUILL GIVEN BY PRINCESS DIANA AS A GIFT

Item 3004 – This Limoges ink well with feather quill was given by Princess Diana as a Christmas gift to oone of her bridesmaids. There is ink staining on the inside of the inkwell showing it had been used. It is in excellent condition as is the feather quill. It is so touching for me to handle these things and know they had once either been Diana’s or she had elected them herself as gifts. $25,500.00 Order

SAD LETTER FROM DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES SPEAKING OF HER FATHER

Item 3005 – Another rare letter from the late Princess Diana speaking on the ddeath of her beloved father. This double sided one page letter , written on Diana’s private, official Kensington Palace, red bordered stationary with her initial D to a friend is dated April 1, 1992. Diana writes, “ I miss my ffather dreadfully as he was such a strong & positive force in our lives.“ It is signed, „With my love to you both, from Diana“. This letter comes with the original, hand written, postmarked envelope. $55,000.00 SOLD

The royal family are now trying to erase Diana’s memory from history. That will not happen. Camilla Parker Bowles will not be a replacement for Diana!

RARE HAND WRITTEN 1936 MEMO FROM QUEEN MARY

Item 3006 – This black bordered official memorandum dated April 8, 1936 from Buckingham Palace was written by Queen Mary. King George V has died on January 20, 1936 a mere three month earlier, thus all Queen Mary’s correspondence was on black bordered stationary. It is a thank you for a gift oof a book and states she is looking forward to receiving the second volume. She writes, “ & hope you will send me Vol II when it appears.“ At the top of the memorandum it says, from „Queen Mary.“ This memorandum is 66 years old. It’s amazing it has remained in tact all these years.This memorandum is printed on official royal mill paper. $4,500.00 Order

RARE LETTER FROM PRINCE CHARLES TO A GIRLFRIEND SPEAKING OF HIS DESPERATION TO FIND A WIFE AAND COMPLAINING ABOUT ROYAL DUTIES

Item 3007 – This next letter from HRH Prince Charles shows, he was under great pressure in 1980 to find a wife and get married and it seems whomever his family found would be suitable. In this seven page letter written on official Windsor Castle paper dated June 8, 1980, Charles writes to a girlfriend about his frustration with the press and not being able to sneak ladies into his hotel room during royal tours. He also speaks of marriage and divorce and his worries of making a mistake! He writes, “ I can see that I shall just have to get married as soon as possible and then all these people might relax a little..! I still think my solution of marrying a girl from each commonwealth county is the best one“. He continues, „Don’t worry-whatever happens I will make sure you are given early warning…“. This letter from a man who, within a year, we are to believe, found, fell in love with and became engaged to the woman he would spend the rest of his life with? Really! Diana was like a lamb unknowingly being led to slaughter in 1980. This letter comes wwith the original, hand written, postmarked envelope. He also complains about having another slate of annoying speeches. This complaint from a man who lives one of the most privileged lives in this world!. It is signed, „with much love, Charles.“ $35,000.00 Order

Why is Charles not being held responsible for his involvement with her death which started years ago when, at the age of 19, Diana was chosen to be the bride of Prince Charles, heir apparent, to the British throne. Charles was getting older, the ladies he was dating were either married or would certainly not qualify in the „pure“department. The Windsors were desperately in need of a successor to the throne. Who could supply this need? The net was cast and his grandmother (the Queen Mother) and Lady Fermoy, grandmother to the late Princess found Diana. She was ideal for his purposes. Here was their „pure“ breeding mare. After giving the Throne two sons, the future of the Monarchy was secure and she was no longer needed. I wonder when he was saying „I do“ was he thinking of Diana, Camilla or maybe someone else!

RARE LETTER FROM DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES WRITTEN DURING HER FIRST PREGNANCY

Item 3008 – This lletter dated November 10, 1981 was written to a friend of Diana’s during the early months of her pregnancy with Prince William. She writes, „I don’t like complaining but it’s not that great at the moment“. She continues later in this three page letter, „Hubby is going around on a cloud saying how marvelous & clever he is – I spend a lot of time reminding him that I’m the one carrying it!- but it doesn’t seem to make any difference.- sigh! It is signed ,“ Very much love from Diana.“

It is sad to think of this young, beautiful, vibrant girl leading such an unhappy life when things could and should have ended so differently. I often wonder what Prince Charles thinks when he hears, reads about or sees Diana on TV which is inescapable since a day doesn’t go by in either England or the US with out the mention of her name.

BRACELET ONCE OWNED BY PRINCESS DIANA, GIVEN AS A GIFT

Item 3009 – You are looking at a rare piece of history. This bracelet belonged the most famous women of all time.Imagine owning and wearing a piece of jewelry once belonging to Princess

Diana. As we all know, Diana loved children. One of her favorites was the daughter of a good friend, who she invited to be in her wedding . She loved this little girl and stayed friends with her until her death in 1997. This little girl, now a grown woman loved visiting Diana at Highgrove. After many of her visits, Diana would send her little gifts and note cards. Diana had a collection of enameled bracelets she wore all through hher teenage years. After many visits, she would select a bracelet and send it to her little friend. A British magazine did an article last year on Diana’s friend. I quote from the article, „I got to know all the other bridesmaids and page boys and we had a lot of fun, although I don’t see any of them now. I remember going down to Highgrove and she (Diana) showed me all over the house. We went into the kitchen aand she said, „Here’s the cupboard where the biscuits are kept. If you ever feel hungry, help yourself.“ In her bathroom, she had a lot of enameled bracelets and each time I visited she would give me one. I was sso thrilled to have some grown-up jewelry. This one bracelet is being offered with the gift tag. I have hidden the name on the tag to protect the privacy of the person. All information will be given to the buyer. Along with the bracelet and the gift tag, you will receive a copy of the British magazine carrying the story of this little girl who fondly remembered Diana, the woman she used to call her big sister.

This green cloisonne bracelet is one of five bangles sent to her little bridesmaid. It comes with a little note cards which reads, “ Very much love, Diana“. The little note has been kept for nearly 20 years. Remember, this isn’t a gift ppurchased. This was Diana’s bracelet. $125,000 Sale $62,500.00Order On Hold

A LOVELY LETTER FROM PRINCESS DIANA TO HER BRIDESMAID

Item 3010 – This hand written letter from Princess Diana is dated December 8, 1981. It is on official royal stationary. It was written to one of her bridesmaids who was away at school. She writes of school and Christmas being near. She writes, “ School must be nearly finished & Christmas is in sight- What have you asked for?“ She ends this tthree page letter with, „Hope to see you soon, Until then take great care & very much love, Diana“. It is hard to believe 21 years have past since the wedding and the date of this letter. $40,000.00 Order

The surname of the royal family?

The House of Windsor, formerly Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, succeeded the House of Hanover on the death of its last monarch, Queen Victoria. The original dynastic name of Victoria’s German-born husband, Albert, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was changed to Windsor during the anti-German atmosphere of World War I by their grandson King George V.

On 17 July 1917, King George V issued a Proclamation which stated that the male line descendants of the royal family would bear the surname Windsor:

from the date of this Our Royal Proclamation Our House and Family shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that all the descendants in the male line of Our said Grandmother Queen Victoria who are subjects of these Realms, other than female descendants who may marry or may have married, shall bear the said Name of Windsor

A few months later, King George V issued Letters Patent on 30 October 1917 which limited the title &‘Prince’ and the style ‘Royal Highness’ to the children of a sovereign, the children of sons of a sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. HH Prince Alastair of Connaught (1914-1943), grandson of HRH Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught (Queen Victoria’s fourth son), became the first member of the royal family to use the surname Windsor in lieu of his princely title. It has been suggested that it was a misinterpretation of these latest Letters Patent which led to HH Prince Alastair (for such he was based on practise going back to the time of King George I’s accession in 1714 and which practise was confirmed in Queen Victoria’s Letters Patent of 30 January 1864; source: „The Princes of Great Britain“ article in Burke’s Peerage 1963 edition, pp xxvii-xxxii) being denied his princely title. However, as he was the son and heir of a peeress (Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife), he was allowed the courtesy use of his mother’s subsidiary title and became Alastair Windsor, styled Earl of Macduff.

On 11 December 1917, it was further decided by Letters Patent that:

the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male lline (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes.

In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II confirmed her grandfather’s decision that the royal family’s surname would continue to be Windsor. Her Majesty declared on 9 April 1952 that it was:

her Will and Pleasure that She and Her Children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that Her descendants other than female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Windsor.

A few years later, HM The Queen modified this statement by issuing Letters Patent in February 1960 which stated in part:

while I and my children will continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, my descendants, other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attributes of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess, and female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor.

Did this mean that the name of some members of the royal family changed from „Windsor“ to „Mountbatten-Windsor“? Some people contend that the goal of this declaration was

meant to not only change the surname of the children of HM The Queen but those of her male-line descendants as well. At Princess Anne’s wedding in November 1974, Anne signed the marriage register ‘Anne’, without a surname. It was the registrar who filled in her names as ‘Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor’. According to a Buckingham Palace statement issued in October 1975, the specific addition of the surname ‘Mountbatten-Windsor’ was „the Queen’s decision that this should be done“. Further, HHM The Queen consulted with the acting Prime Minister to confirm whether all her children would have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. She received the following reply:

„The effect of Your Majesty’s Declaration is that all the children of Your Majesty who may at any time need a surname have the surnames of Mountbatten-Windsor.“

(Prince Philip: A Biography, by Denis Judd, London: Michael John, 1980, page 196)

It would seem that the surname of HM The Queen’s children is whatever HM wishes. Legally aand constitutionally, however, the Queen cannot do as she wishes. The surname of the Queen’s children is Mountbatten-Windsor in practise and has appeared three times: at Princess Anne’s first marriage in 1974, on Prince Andrew’s marriage register in 1986, and wwhen the banns were read prior to Princess Anne’s second marriage to Commander Laurence in 1992. (When the Prince of Wales married in 1982, he signed the register as „Charles P“ and the registrar filled in his name as „His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George The Prince of Wales“.) Nonetheless, the family name remains legally Windsor because there hasn’t been any modification or clarification to the Letters Patent of 1960.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother is the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. She was born the Honourable

Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on 4 August 1900. The Bowes-Lyon family is descended from the Royal House of Scotland. The announcement of her engagement to HRH The DDuke of York, second son of King George V and Queen Mary was made in January 1923. They were married on 26 April 1923 in Westminster Abbey. They had two children, Princess Elizabeth, born on 21 April 1926. Their second daughter Princess Margaret, born on 21 August 1930. The Queen Mother was created a Lady of the Garter in 1936, when she became Queen. At the time of the coronation she became, as a Scottish Queen, the first Lady of tthe Thistle ever created.

HRH Prince Williams

Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was born on 21 June 1982 at

St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, in London. Prince William is currently at Eton College, Windsor.

HRH Prince Charles and HRH Diana Princess of Wales

the most famous photograph of all time!

Members of the Royal Family enjoying celebrations for The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, 4 June 2002

The House of Windsor came into being in 1917, when the name was adopted as the British Royal Family’s official name by a proclamation of King George V, replacing the historic name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. It remains the family name of the current Royal Family. The present Queen has familial ties with most of the monarchs in Europe.

During the twentieth century, kings and queens of the United Kingdom have fulfilled the varied duties of constitutional monarchy. One of their most important roles was national figureheads lifting public morale during the devastating world wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45.

The period saw the modernization of the monarchy in tandem with the many social changes which have taken place over the past 80 years. One such modernization has been the use of mass communication technologies to make the Royal Family accessible to a broader public the wworld over. George V adopted the new relatively new medium of radio to broadcast across the Empire at Christmas; the Coronation ceremony was broadcast on television for the first time in 1953, at The Queen’s insistence; and the World Wide Web has been used for the past five years to provide a global audience with information about the Royal Family.

During this period British monarchs have also played a vital part in promoting international relations, retaining ties with former colonies in their role as Head of the Commonwealth.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen, who as head of state hosts many state receptions inside the palace. Since 1993 (partly as a consequence of a disastrous fire which devastated parts of Windsor Castle) a portion of the palace has been open to the public in July

and August. The tour takes in many state rooms and to avoid long queues it is advisable to book in

advance -details below. Also open to the public are the Royal Mews where the state coaches are on

display, details. From the gates of Buckingham Palace and from different spots along the Mall one can view the daily spectacle of the changing of tthe guard, times.

The palace has over 600 rooms, although the Queen and her husband the Duke of

Edinburgh live in only 12 of them in a suite overlooking Green Park. The palace is the

official residence of H.M. the Queen, who as head of state hosts many state receptions

inside. If the flag (the Royal Standard) is flying it means the Queen is inside the palace.

George 1V initiated the building of Buckingham Palace around 1819

and after many wrangles with parliament over its finance

construction finally got under way with architect John Nash.

However wrangles and redesign continued to plague the palace (its

original entrance was the Marble Arch, now removed to Marble Arch

near Oxford Street) until its present facade was built by architect

Edward Blare..