THE ENGAGEMENT OF PRINCESS MAY TO PRINCE EDDY MARY ADELAIDE (Duchess of Teck, 1833-1897, Queen Mary's Mother)

Autograph letter signed to 'Dearest Mrs Bevan', (Maria, née Trotter, d. 1903, third wife (1875) of Francis Augustus Bevan, 1840-1919, the first chairman of Barclays Bank), saying she is sending "May's contribution of Guild work" but asking if she could return "the 5 boxes by the van that takes them up", Mrs Halford will take over the articles on Monday when the London Needlework Guild "take possession of the room at the Imperial Institute ... May and Dolly" (Princess May's brother Adolphus who succeeded as Duke in 1900), "started last night for Balmoral where there are to be theatricals", embossed coronet, 4 sides 8vo black-edged, White Lodge, Richmond Park, 5th November

The same day that the young Tecks caught the sleeper for Aberdeen, Princess May had already arranged 1800 garments for the London Needlework Guild. The Queen wanted to get to know her as a possible granddaughter-in-law (and future Queen) and was delighted by her ten-day stay at Balmoral. Prince Eddy, the Duke of Clarence, was expected to propose in the New Year, but jumped the gun on 3rd December, when he and May were both at Luton Hoo. Sadly, six weeks later, he was dead from pneumonia. Mrs Bevan was a London President of the Needlework Guild, whose clothes and parcels half filled White Lodge each autumn.

Item Date:  1891

Stock No:  53068      £225

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