SOLD Signed Calling Card of The Duke of Wellington While in Service to Queen Victoria
“At her majesty’s service”.
The official London residences of the English Sovereigns, from Henry VIII to the present day, have been the Palace of Whitehall (to 1699), St James’s Palace (to 1762) and Buckingham Palace, originally known as Buckingham House. The only access to St James’s and Buckingham Palace before 1841 was through Horse Guards.
The...
The official London residences of the English Sovereigns, from Henry VIII to the present day, have been the Palace of Whitehall (to 1699), St James’s Palace (to 1762) and Buckingham Palace, originally known as Buckingham House. The only access to St James’s and Buckingham Palace before 1841 was through Horse Guards.
The Horse Guards were charged with the protection of the life of the monarch after the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660. Horse Guards remains the official entrance to St James’s and Buckingham Palace. Apart from members of the Royal Family or cavalrymen on duty, everyone needs the Sovereign’s permission in the form of an Ivory Pass to either drive or ride through Horse Guards. The Horse Guards still accompany the Queen on state visits.
Perhaps the most illustrious Horse Guard, from 1842-1852, the Duke of Wellington, the Victor at Waterloo, was the Military Secretary of the Horse Guards as Commander in Chief of the Army. As such, he was in charge of the protection of the Queen and of the royal residence.
Document Signed, December 28, 1848, his official visiting and business card, Stratfield Saye House (his official residence). The printed portion reads "Field Marshall His Grace the Duke of Welling KG, The Military Secretary Horse Guards, London." An aide has written his address on the recto of the card and Wellington himself has written on the verso, "At Her Majesty’s Service, Wellington.”
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