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Auction: 17020 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 945

Autographs
Edward, Prince of Wales and Mrs Freda Dudley Ward
The Prince of Wales conducted an affair with Mrs Dudley Ward, wife of the Liberal MP for Southampton, and wrote obsessively to her during the course of many years, often enclosing both signed and annotated photographs together with his letters to her, from wherever he was, both at home and while travelling through the Empire. A selection of these is offered, the property of a lady, who acquired much of the correspondence privately many years ago. Much of this was partially published and illustrated in "Letters From a Prince March 1918 - January 1921", edited by Rupert Godfrey, London 1998. This selection represents a rare opportunity to acquire items of great Royal personal and historic interest.



1919 (25-26 January) from The Royal Palace, Brussels. Four sided letter written in pencil by the Prince of Wales to his mistress Mrs Freda Dudley Ward, with the original envelope posted from London, having been carried by the Foreign Office Bag from the British Legation "much quicker" than by King's Messenger; addressed to Winkfield, Windsor and twice readdressed. The lengthy and very personal letter is initialled "E" by the Prince.



In this highly emotional letter Prince Edward expresses his devotion to "My very own darling beloved little one". He refers to the recent death of his youngest brother Prince John, "... how mad I feel about it all and how mad I was that H.M. wouldn't let Moi return to England for a few days to my poor Mama, who tho' really relieved must feel it all, and to Toi darling; but he's a hard man particularly to Moi and so hopelessly inhuman sometimes!!"



He refers to flying with his brother, Prince Albert (future King George V1). Thine E "flipped" over from an aerodrome at Morville near 32nd Div."..we burst a tire while we were taxying ... my brother's pilot lost his way and they had to land at a French aerodrome. ... and they didn't turn up at the Belge aerodrome till ½ hr after we had lunched. It was a pretty dud flying day...1000 feet isn't a very healthy height in case of engine trouble!!". He continues, "We solemnly drove to this Belge form of 'Buckhouse' where we were met by old King Albert and we've just got away from a deadly dull and very trying dinner party with him. King Albert is a nice man tho fearfully shy and consequently the completist dud till you get to know him well. Gud how thine E does loathe palace and court life and everything to do with it sweetheart, guess he was never intended for that sort of existence... I should have gone out ...if it was not for 'court mourning' ... I'm enjoying writing to you more than dancing with sordid little 'whizz bangs' in hot and overcrowded low haunts full of rather boxed officers of which I've already done the rounds. My brother and I had to attend a march past of 4 whole British bdes (4 Divs each sent a bde.) as well as cav and artillery through the town and we sat on mouldy old Belge horses outside this old palace with the King ... It was a real good show... We leave tomorrow morning, thine E goes to 51st Highland Div for 3 nights."


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Estimate
£1,200 to £1,500