{"id":140167,"date":"2026-02-20T17:15:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T17:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/140167\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T17:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T17:15:30","slug":"a-handwritten-letter-and-drawings-by-the-late-queen-have-come-to-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/140167\/","title":{"rendered":"A handwritten letter and drawings by The late Queen have come to light"},"content":{"rendered":"

A handwritten letter written by The Late Queen<\/a> as a child, featuring her drawings of horses and riders, has come to light having spent years in a suitcase under a bed.<\/p>\n

The note from the then Princess Elizabeth, aged about 10, to the head housemaid at the Royal Lodge, Windsor, is expected to make \u00a34,000 when it goes up for auction on 27 February.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

It was sent from Cornwall to Beatrice Stillman, who died in 1991 aged 80:<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Beatrice,<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sending you some primroses we picked, wild. There are some pale pink ones as well as the yellow. It is very lovely here. We can go down on to the beach from the garden.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope the birds are well, and the gold-fish haven\u2019t died. Will you please give Cootie (Miss Coote I mean) and Mrs Wade some of the primroses to share. Jock is very well and happy here. Nanny and Joanna send their love to you. Love from Elizabeth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter, one of many to Ms Stillman found two years ago, will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers\u2019 sale room in Penshurst, Kent.<\/a><\/p>\n

Justin Matthews of Hansons said: \u201cWhen I first saw the letter, it gave me goosebumps. Queen Elizabeth II, as we remember her \u2013 with her love of dogs and horses \u2013 is astoundingly evident in this letter penned by her younger self.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom these few lines we understand everything we later know about The late Queen. She is seen to be observant, kind and concerned with others\u2019 wellbeing, just as she was in later years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The collection of letters also includes a note written by Princess Margaret.<\/p>\n

William Westacott, who owns the correspondence, is the nephew of Rene Dicker, Ms Stillman\u2019s niece.<\/p>\n

\u201cAuntie Rene, now 95, fondly remembers being presented to George VI and The Queen and the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret,\u201d he said. \u201cShe also recalls playing in the large playhouse in the Royal Lodge garden that was gifted to Princess Elizabeth in 1932. It being wartime, the Queen kindly donated some of the princesses\u2019 clothes to the children.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Ms Stillman died the suitcase of letters, including Christmas<\/a> cards, went to William\u2019s mother Jean Westacott, Beatrice\u2019s niece, and when Mrs Westacott died, two years ago, her son found the suitcase under her bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew the letters existed, but to read them in the flesh was a \u2018wow\u2019 moment,\u201d Mr Westacott said.<\/p>\n

The late Queen\u2019s letter from an \u201cidyllic childhood holiday\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Matthews added that the exact date of the letter is unknown but Ms Stillman became head housemaid at Royal Lodge in 1936 and the princesses moved to Windsor Castle in May 1940, so it was written between those dates.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe letter speaks of an idyllic childhood holiday before the war when we know Cornwall was a popular destination for affluent and aristocratic families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn those days, it was very common for children to correspond with household staff they were fond of \u2013 especially those who helped take care of their home life, like head housemaids who looked after their laundry and toys.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn his book Elizabeth, Gyles Brandreth refers to two of the princess\u2019s ponies known as Jock and Hans. Jock is referenced in the letter as \u2018very happy here and doing well\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are already seeing a great deal of interest in this incredible letter which, as well as revealing the innermost concerns of the future queen, is an important and charming historic document.\u201d<\/p>\n

You may also be interested in:<\/p>\n

\"The\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\tCredit: Alamy Stock Photo\t\t<\/p>\n

\"\"\t<\/p>\n

\"\"\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\tCredit: Eilidh Verstage\t\t<\/p>\n

\"The\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\tCredit: Getty images\t\t<\/p>\n

\"\"\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\tCredit: Future\t\t<\/p>\n


\n\tStay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription.\u00a0Subscribe today<\/a>\u00a0for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our\u00a0expert team of reporters\u00a0and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already?\u00a0Set up your\u00a0unlimited website access now<\/a> \n<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Eleanor<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t
H&H news editor \n\t\t<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tEleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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