A personal letter penned by Queen Elizabeth II more than six decades ago has surfaced, offering a rare glimpse into the late monarch's joy following the arrival of her youngest child.
Written at Buckingham Palace on April 1 1964, the two-page correspondence was addressed to Marion Stein, Countess of Harewood, a close friend of the Queen.
In the letter, Elizabeth II shared that Prince Edward, then just three weeks old, was "flourishing" and expressed the family's delight at having "a baby in the nursery again."
She noted that "Charles and Anne and Andrew are all thrilled" by their new sibling.
The late Queen noted that "Charles and Anne and Andrew are all thrilled" by their new sibling.
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The letter is set to be sold by International Autograph Auctions Europe, with an estimated price of £1,000.
Stein enjoyed a distinguished career as a concert pianist before her connections to British public life deepened through marriage.
She was born in Vienna in 1926 to a Jewish family and later became the first wife of George Lascelles, the 7th Earl of Harewood, a prominent figure in British classical music administration.
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1967.
Six years later, she wed Jeremy Thorpe, who led the Liberal Party.
In the letter, Elizabeth II shared that Prince Edward, then just three weeks old, was "flourishing" and expressed the family's delight at having "a baby in the nursery again."
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The friendship between Stein and the Queen endured for decades, with Elizabeth II appointing her a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2008 Birthday Honours, recognising her contributions to music.
Stein passed away in 2014 at the age of 87.
The Queen's correspondence began with gracious thanks for Stein's congratulatory message, though she apologised for the delayed response, blaming "a very large pile of correspondence."
Elizabeth II also displayed her characteristic wit, remarking on the chilly British spring while referencing her friend's recent trip to Russia: "It must have still been extremely cold there, though this country seems to be doing its best to copy it just now."
Richard Davie, a specialist at the Malaga-based auction house, described the letter as offering "an intimate glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II in her role as a young mother."
He added: "Its appeal lies in the Queen's warm, conversational tone, combining gracious thanks and gentle humour with affectionate observations about family life, making the monarch seem remarkably approachable and human."
This correspondence follows the recent discovery of another letter from the same period, written by Elizabeth II to Sister Helen Rowe, known affectionately as "Rowie," who had assisted with all of the Queen's pregnancies.
Dated August 5 1964, the note described the five-month-old Edward as "wonderful" and "good as gold," noting he weighed 15lb 12oz.
"He smiles and giggles at everyone, and makes everyone happy!" the Queen wrote.
The letter also touched on the health of the then 15-year-old Prince Charles, who had contracted pneumonia following a camping expedition.
Elizabeth II expressed relief that he was recovering, though she noted he remained "very frail as yet."