Letter written by the Queen Mother 101 years ago is being auctioned after it was found to have been used as a bookmark

A 101-year-old letter written by the Queen Mother is going under the hammer after it emerged it was used as a bookmark.

The thank you note, dated January 27, 1923, followed news of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon's plans to marry Prince Albert, the future King George VI.

Buckingham Palace announced the couple's engagement on January 15, 1923, after his third marriage proposal was finally accepted, following Elizabeth's wedding.ears about the impact of royal life.

The letter was sent to Mrs Carmicheal of Downfield, Dundee, Scotland, together with a photo of the royal family, but has since been put into a book.

It is expected to fetch £600 but could sell for much more when it goes under the hammer at Richmond-based Hansons Auctioneers on February 26.

The future mother of Queen Elizabeth II apologizes for the “short note” and jokes about having to write so many thank-you letters, writing “my hand is almost dealt!”

The charming note was discovered by chance by the seller's grandmother, hidden in a second-hand book.

The seller, a 59-year-old teacher from Brighton, said: 'It belonged to my grandmother, who found it in a second-hand book she had bought.

'It was used as a bookmark.

'It was passed on to my mother, who unfortunately passed away in 2019, after which it became mine.

'I believe it was bought in Aberdeen in the late 1920s.

'My family is from there.

“That said, my great-grandmother came from Dundee where she worked in the jute mills, so that is also a possible link.”

The letter, with the letterhead “17 Bruton Street, WI,” was partly typed and partly handwritten.

It reads: 'Dear Mrs. Carmichael,

'Thank you very much for your kind letter of congratulations, which I very much appreciate.

'Of course I remember the Garden Fete at Downfield.

“You'll only forgive a short note, I know, but I have more letters to answer than I can handle,”

She continued with pen: 'And also this typed letter, but my hand almost gave out!'

It is signed Elizabeth Lyon.

A photo found with the letter shows the Queen Mother in her early 20s, possibly at Downfield Fete, Dundee, with Mrs Carmichael.

The note is expected to fetch £600 but could sell for much more when it goes under the hammer at Richmond-based Hansons Auctioneers on February 26.

“What an extraordinary discovery to make,” said Hanson's paper and book expert Jim Spencer.

'I have no doubt it would have been a prized possession.

'Apart from its importance as a royal memento, an informal photograph was pinned to it, possibly showing Mrs Carmichael with Elizabeth.

'The original envelope has also been preserved, suggesting that Mrs Carmichael cherished it.

“Maybe she put it in a book to keep it flat and lost it over time.

'This fascinating letter shows how the power of love circulates throughout our lives, even in royal circles.

“It's not unlike a classic fairy tale or a modern rom-com, this idea of ​​a future king proposing three times before finally winning the heart of his one true love.”

Prince Albert, Duke of York, known as 'Bertie', vowed not to marry any other woman, despite his proposal being rejected.

He first proposed to Elizabeth in 1921, but she turned him down, “afraid of never again having the freedom to think, speak and act as I think I really should.”

His mother, Queen Mary, was aware of Albert's desperate situation and visited the girl who had stolen her son's heart.

She became convinced that Elizabeth was 'the only girl who could make Bertie happy', but refused to intervene.

At the same time, Elizabeth was courted by James Stuart, Albert's equerry, until he left the prince's service.

In February 1922, Elizabeth was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Albert's sister, Princess Mary, to Viscount Lascelles.

The following month Albert made a second marriage proposal, but she again refused.

Finally, in January 1923, Elizabeth agreed to marry Albert, despite her misgivings about royal life.

Albert's freedom in choosing Elizabeth, rather than a member of a royal family, was considered a gesture in favor of political modernization.

The couple opted for a platinum engagement ring with a Kashmir sapphire and two diamonds.

Prince Albert and Elizabeth were married on April 26, 1923 at Westminster Abbey.

Her reign as Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth Dominions lasted from December 11, 1936 to February 6, 1952 as wife of King George VI.

When he died at the age of 51, she was seen as the matriarch of the British royal family and was active in public life until a few months before her death at the age of 101.