Counting One's Blessings by William Shawcross

Author:William Shawcross [Shawcross, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781443407304
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Published: 2012-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

11 April 1944 to Queen Mary

Sandringham

Darling Mama

I was so glad to receive your letter last week, and many thanks for writing. It is very sad to think that two such real old friends have gone, tho’ I think that Mrs Rawlings’* death was a great relief, as she had been so unhappy & suffering, and there was so little that could be done to relieve the poor old thing. I think too, that it was a mistake her living so near to her beloved Castle. She hated leaving it, and couldn’t bear to think of another housekeeper there, and all these feelings combined with such ill health made her very miserable. I hope that the dear old thing is now at peace, and I trust that she won’t return to haunt Windsor Castle – I can almost imagine seeing that spare black silk figure whisking down a dark passage, jangling her keys! How devoted she was to you and how she loved Windsor.

I must admit that I do too, & I am glad to say that Lilibet has also a great affection and admiration for the whole place, one gets a very great sense of history there too.

We are in the throes of trying to find a new Dean – not an easy matter in these days, and so important to get the right man. There seems to be a sad lack of the vintage of Cosmo Lang.

Bertie did the Maundy at Westminster,* & the dear old Archbishop [Lang] looked very well & wise & completely & utterly bald. I do feel how immensely lucky we were to have him for the Coronation, for we both felt the depth and meaning of that great service of dedication with all our hearts and souls, and he raised the whole thing above pageantry & history, & made it so personal. I am sure that the present Archbishop [William Temple], clever & nice as he is, could never have raised it all to such spiritual heights, or felt so deeply about it, as the old one.

I have had a bit of bad luck, & through these lovely spring days here I am in bed with a sort of flu. […] Luckily Bertie is well, & he and the children are out all day on their bicycles, & seem most happy. They are rat hunting this afternoon – what a sport!

We have a very nice temporary equerry from the R.A.F. called Townsend.† He is a Battle of Britain fighter pilot, & charming and fits in beautifully. […]

We are so looking forward to seeing you on the 21st, and then we can discuss dates etc for visits. How one prays that the War may end soon, and then what a Europe to re-make – devastated, starving & unlawful to a degree. […]

With so much love darling Mama, ever your loving daughter in law

Elizabeth

PS I am giving Lilibet a small diamond tiara of my own for her 18th birthday, & Bertie is giving her a little bracelet to wear now.

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