9th Jun, 2026 10:00
Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art
150
The Important Mr Peter Stewart Archive of Royal letters 1948-1955
The Important Mr Peter Stewart Archive of Royal Letters 1948-1955
Mr Peter Stewart was the Secretary of The Carlton Club, the famous London Gentleman’s club, and was for many years a confidante of the Royal Family. He was a friend of King George VI and was held in high esteem by Queen Mary, Princess Elizabeth and later as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, with whom he often socialised and was a frequent visitor to Clarence House.
Over the years, he became indispensable to them for helping them choose and acquire presents for each other and was the sole of discretion. As to how this unique position developed is lost to time, and sadly, due to his untimely death in October 1956, aged 54, we will probably never know.
However, he left behind a unique collection of letters from Princess Elizabeth and, as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Queen Mary and importantly copies of his replies, which gave rare insights into their personal lives in the late 1940s and early 1950s and even Christmas present lists (addressed to Father Christmas) from the young Prince Charles (now our King) and Princess Anne.
After his death in 1956, his brother left the correspondence in a suitcase under a bed until it was recently discovered by Peter's niece. This very charming and discreet man has left behind a very special historical archive, which is a genuine time capsule and of unique importance to Royal collectors and historians.
The Peter Stewart archive of Royal letters comprises:
H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth and as H.M. Queen Elizabeth II from 1948-1955. 25 letters covering her carefree early married life and the development of her children, life in Malta and Royal Tours, giving rare personal insights. A full list of the letters and a review of their contents is available on our website.
H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh from 1947-1952. 15 letters covering the Prince finding his place in the Royal Family and how much he enjoys their carefree life in Malta. A full list of the letters and a review of their contents is available on our website.
H.R.H. Prince Charles (now H.M. King Charles). A charming, handwritten Christmas present list sent to Father Christmas.
H.R.H. Princess Anne (now The Princess Royal). A charming, handwritten Christmas present list sent to Peter.
H.M. Queen Mary from 1948-1951. Seven letters, mostly regarding gifts for her Frogmore Family Museum.
Peter Stewart. A quantity of handwritten copies of his letters sent to Princess Elizabeth and, as Queen, Prince Philip and Queen Mary, giving context to their replies to him.
Colonel The Hon. Martin Charteris (the Queen's Private Secretary). Handwritten letter dated 4th Oct 1956 expressing the Queen's sorrow to Peter's brother after Peter's death, with his reply. There are also sundry letters from members of the Royal Household and various cut signatures from Princess Elizabeth's letters
A group of press cuttings 1940s-1950s, including social events arranged by Peter with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip and articles regarding his sad death in 1956.
A black enamelled strong box with key with 'Mr Peter Stewart' stencilled on front.
Sold for £10,500
In Person
To bid in person at auction for the first time please register for a bidding number in advance by filling out and submitting a registration form at reception. When registering in person we require photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence.
Live Internet Bidding
We are pleased to offer a live online bidding service through our website platform ReemansLive.*
ReemansLive offers an excellent auction experience on your desktop, phone or tablet without being in the room. The platform is complete with live audio and video feeds to enable you to watch and hear the auction as it happens wherever you are in the world. Additionally you are able to see opposing bids in real time and view the upcoming lots.
A Bid Live button will appear on our home page when the sale is live. Simply click this to sign in & begin.
New users will need an online account with us to participate in live auctions via ReemansLive. Once you have created your account and registered card details, you will be approved to bid for the auction.
*Please note that if you bid through our website you will be charged an additional 3% (plus VAT) commission on the hammer price.
Alternatively you can bid via www.the-saleroom.com To bid online, simply register with the-saleroom.com and visit the site on the day of the sale. Please note that if you bid through the-saleroom.com, you will be charged an additional 4.95% (plus VAT) commission on the hammer price.
Create an account
Absentee Bidding
For clients unable or not wishing to attend our sale we are happy to accept absentee bids. Absentee bids can either be left in person with our office team, phoned or emailed to us. We simply require lot numbers and descriptions and the maximum bid which you wish to leave. Absentee bids are then transferred to our auction pages and the auctioneer will bid on your behalf. If the lot can be purchased at a lower price than your maximum bid our auctioneers will always endeavour to work in your interest to purchase the lot for you as cheaply as other bids will allow. If the same bid is left by two people on a lot we will precedence to the bidder who leaves the bid first.
We are happy to provide condition reports for online and absentee bidders and to supply additional photographs on any lot. We ask that condition report requests are submitted at least 24 hours prior to the sale. (Whilst every care is taken to give an accurate condition report, we accept no responsibility for any omissions or errors in our reports. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view the lots and satisfy themselves as to their condition.)
Telephone Bidding
We are happy to accept phone bids for our Fine Art and Collectors’ sales. Phone bids may be arranged in person with our office team, by phone or by email. We simply require the lot number and details of the lots which you wish to bid on and contact phone number / numbers. Our phone bidders will call in advance of your chosen lot / lots and bid on your behalf during the sale.
Telephone bids must be booked by 4pm the day before the sale but can be arranged earlier, we have limited lines and certain lots can be over-subscribed for phone bidding, in such instances we conduct a first come, first served basis and we encourage clients to book well in advance or risk being disappointed.
Auction: Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art, 9th Jun, 2026
Viewing
Friday 5th June 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 6th June 9am - 1pm
Monday 8th June 9am - 6pm
Mornings of sale from 9am
Full Terms & Conditions relating to our auctions can be found here
Here at Reeman Dansie, we are happy to offer a complimentary online valuation service. Please fill out the form and press the 'Submit' button below.
To help us with your valuation please attach clear photographs of the item where possible. You can submit up to 5.
Approximate dimensions are also useful. Expect to hear from the appropriate valuer as soon as possible.
