Bidspirit 拍卖 | Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s Eight-Year-Old

Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s Eight-Year-Old Daughter – Early Autograph Letter Signed to Her Governess Miss Hildyard, Referring to Queen Victoria (“Mama”), Princess Alice, Prince Louis and Their Daughter Victoria – Scotland, 1865 - An exceptionally early and personal autograph letter by Princess Beatrice (1857–1944), youngest daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, addressed to her governess Miss H. Hildyard (“Tilla”), a long-standing member of the intimate circle surrounding Queen Victoria’s children. Dated 26 October 1865, when Princess Beatrice was only eight years old, the letter is written in her youthful but remarkably fluent hand and provides an intimate glimpse into the everyday life of Queen Victoria’s family in Scotland. Beatrice opens affectionately: “Dear Tilla” and immediately refers to her sister Princess Alice, Alice’s husband Prince Louis of Hesse, and their children: “Alice, Louis & the children are gone to Floors today & they will come on Monday to Windsor.” The reference is to Floors Castle in Scotland, seat of the Dukes of Roxburghe, and records the movements of members of Queen Victoria’s immediate family during their autumn stay in Scotland. Beatrice then describes playing with Victoria, identifiable as Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine (1863–1950), the eldest daughter of Alice and Louis, then only about two and a half years old: “I played with Victoria nearly every day & she was so amusing.” Princess Victoria later became Victoria, Marchioness of Milford Haven, mother of Louis Mountbatten and maternal grandmother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. A Royal Collection photograph dating from November 1865 records Alice and Louis together with their daughters Victoria and Elisabeth. Beatrice also comments on the Scottish weather, recalling that on returning home on one occasion they were “nearly quite white, ” apparently a youthful description of the cold, snow or frost. Of particular interest are Beatrice’s references to outings with her mother, Queen Victoria, whom the eight-year-old Princess naturally calls “Mama.” She records having accompanied her mother on several excursions, including one to a place written as “the Slugan, ” opposite Ben-a-Bourd (Beinn a’ Bhùird) in the Scottish Highlands. Balmoral and the surrounding Highlands occupied a uniquely personal place in Queen Victoria’s family life, particularly following the death of Prince Albert. Contemporary accounts record the Queen’s extended autumn stays there. The letter therefore brings together several generations of Queen Victoria’s immediate family – Queen Victoria (“Mama”), Princess Alice, Prince Louis of Hesse, Princess Victoria of Hesse and the young Princess Beatrice herself – within a charming firsthand account of family visits, children’s games and excursions in Scotland. Towards the conclusion Beatrice sends her love to Charlotte, before signing in a particularly appealing manner: “I send my love to Charlotte & remain dear Tilla / Your affectionate little pupil / Beatrice.” The full “Beatrice” signature is clear. Her description of herself as “Your affectionate little pupil” is particularly significant, directly documenting the personal relationship between the young Princess and Miss Hildyard as her governess. An unusually intimate royal childhood letter, written by Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter at only eight years of age and providing a charming firsthand glimpse of the Royal Family’s private life in Scotland in 1865. Provenance: From a documented historical collection of 22 original letters by members of Queen Victoria’s family, addressed to Miss Hildyard, governess and confidante of the Royal Family. The collection was sold in 1947 by Elkin Mathews Ltd., London, to Dr. L. O. Meredith, Cambridge, Maryland, USA. Dimensions: Each page approx. 18.6 × 11.9 cm. The letter comprises 4 pages, all handwritten by Princess Beatrice, concluding with her full signature “Beatrice” beneath the affectionate phrase “Your affectionate little pupil.” Original envelope: approx. 12.5 × 8 cm, addressed to Miss Hildyard at 2 Cambridge Terrace, Lee, Kent, retaining a British One Penny Red postage stamp and postal markings.