Description:Duchess Harriet’s papers include a number of letters concerning her family and many examples of correspondence which was written to her by her husband and children.
The Duchess received many letters from her children. A particularly entertaining example of these is a letter written by her son Albert whilst he was staying with his friends, Ian and Archie.
Albert’s letter is full of amusing remarks. In response to a comment made by Duchess Harriet about the age of a lady, perhaps a nanny employed by the family, Albert writes ‘you seem to think it curious Madame Dibinska looks older than she did 5 years ago, but it is one of the commonest occurrences in the world’.
Albert writes that he ‘shall be overjoyed to get to Trentham’, noting ‘I am afraid Ian and Archie will not be in Trentham for my birthday.’ His letter also informs Duchess Harriet about his visit. He writes ‘it was a very fine day yesterday. We went to church, and had a very nice walk in the afternoon in the wood. There is a billiard table here that belonged to Duke of Marlborough. It is very much worn out but they keep it for a curiosity’. He also adds that ‘Ian & Archie have got a boat of their own here to carry 6 people, and their arms on. What a very bad ferry it is!’
Albert’s letter reflects the contemporary awareness of class distinction. He asks his mother Duchess Harriet why she chose to stay at ‘a mercantile hotel’.
He concludes his letter noting ‘give my best love to Constance, and Evey, & Grosvenor, Ronald, and Blantyre’.
Duchess Harriet’s papers also include an envelope which Albert decorated with coloured crayons and sent to Harriet to wish her a Happy New Year.
Click on the image on the left to learn more about Duchess Harriet and her family.