VICTORIA (1819-1901, Queen of Great Britain)

Fine Autograph Letter in the Third Person to Arnold ROYLE (Prince Leopold's physician) announcing that "It has given The Queen great pleasure to be able to appoint Mr. Royle to an office in her Household - & she is glad to see by his letter, for which she thanks him, that he is gratified by it. The Queen was very glad to be able to do anything for one who served & watched over her dear child so faithfully & devotedly. She trusts Mrs Royle & her God Child are well? The dear little Duke gained more than 2lbs in weight while he was here ...", 2 sides 8vo., on her black edged monogrammed mourning paper, with original autograph envelope signed with initials, Balmoral Castle, 31st October

Arnold Royle was Prince Leopold's personal physician from 1876 until the Prince's death from a cerebral haemorrhage in 1884. Initially the Queen had somewhat limited faith in Royle and constantly wished him to defer to her favoured physician, Sir William Jenner. Eventually, however, the medical skill and diplomatic aplomb with which Royle carried out his duties did gain acknowledgement from the Queen, who appointed him a Groom of the Privy Chamber in November 1884, some months after Prince Leopold's death.
Together with a note in the hand of Arnold Royle's son who was Prince Leopold's godchild. He copies out the letter and ends with a note that "My Father was with the Duke of Albany when he died in the South of France. The little Duke was born at the same time as me at Claremont, he came later Duke of Sax Coburgh".

Item Date:  1884

Stock No:  40558