We’ve all found family heirlooms and keepsakes tucked away in our attics and lofts before, but an English couple recently found a lot more than merely their parents’ third-grade arithmetic homework.
A couple from Stratford-upon-Avod were left ‘gobsmacked’ after they found a childhood letter that newly-crowned King Charles wrote to his “Granny” Queen Mother Elizabeth when she was ill.
“Granny, I am sorry that you are ill. I hope you will be better soon,” read the letter written on Buckingham Palace letterhead and dated March 15th, 1955.
On the back of the letter, a six-year-old Prince Charles signed it with “lots of love from Charles,” alongside colorful doodles and 14 kisses.
Other royal memorabilia was found, including postcards from the royal estate at Sandringham, royal dinner menus, an invitation to a ball at Balmoral Estate, a note signed by the Queen Mother for the memorial service of King James VI, and a copy of the Queen’s Christmas speech from 1956.
“We finally had the time to look through a big box file that my mother had given to us,” the 49-year-old husband and finder said, remaining anonymous because of the couple’s intent to put the items up for auction. “For the last 30 to 40 years it’s been gathering dust inside various lofts.”
“It originally belonged to my late grandad Roland Stockdale,” he added, “My wife said ‘wow, look at that!’ We were pretty gobsmacked…”
the man said there was a simple explanation, namely that his grandfather Roland became a Police Sergeant in the Queen’s personal protection force during the 1950s, and the box of letters contained a photo of him in the Information Room in Scotland Yard in 1952.
MORE BRITISH NEWS: Britain’s Royal Mint is Salvaging Gold from E-Waste – Recycling Precious Metals for Green Investors
“I was told he was originally involved in helping to protect the Queen Mother but he probably worked with several royals over time,” he said.
Sergeant Stockdale worked alongside William Tallon, the Queen Mother’s devoted servant whose letters were also found in the loft, one of which was addressed to Stockdale and read “Dear Sarg, Queen Elizabeth told me this morning that you are not well…”
A few weeks later on February 7th, 1983, Tallon wrote again, offering his condolences to Mrs. Audrey Stockdale following Roland’s death.
MORE FAMILY HISTORY: Wife of WWII Soldier Spends Decades to Reunite Japanese Family With Photo Album He Found on Okinawa –LOOK
A letter to her on Clarence House headed paper reads…
“I am so dreadfully sorry to hear of your very sad loss and the family have all my deepest sympathy at this awful moment in time. I always thought most highly of Ron (the best and kindest Sgt we ever had) I only hope that all was peaceful at the end and that he didn’t have to suffer.”
“I have absolutely no idea how he came to have the letter written by King Charles when he was a boy,” said the seller. “It’s one of many things he kept.”
For the inheritors of Roland’s keepsakes, their biggest takeaway was how much it seemed everyone around the royal family valued Roland’s service and character.
MORE ROYAL STORIES: Prince Charles Opens 10-Room Bed And Breakfast On The Grounds Of His Scottish Castle
“It is clear from the tone of the correspondence that the royal family held Roland in high regard for his kindness,” said Auctioneer Charles Hanson who will handle the sale.
“It has long been normal practice for members of the royal family to give away small keepsakes and personal mementos to valued servants. Such was the warmth felt for Roland, it appears the Queen Mother allowed him to keep one or two special items.”
SHARE This Special Story Of Family History With Your Friends…