An 8-Year-Old Princess Elizabeth, Eventually to Become Queen Elizabeth II, Writes of Her Love of Books on Horses and Dogs and Her Fondness for Time Spent at the Queen Mother’s Childhood Home, Glamis Castle in Scotland

During her grandfather’s reign, Elizabeth II was third in the line of succession to the British throne, behind her uncle Edward and her father. Although her birth generated public interest, she was not expected to become queen, as Edward was still young and likely to marry and have children of his own, who would precede Elizabeth in the line of succession. When her grandfather died in 1936 and her uncle succeeded as Edward VIII, she became second in line to the throne, after her father. Later that year, Edward abdicated, after his proposed marriage to divorced socialite Wallis Simpson provoked a constitutional crisis. Consequently, Elizabeth’s father unexpectedly became king, taking the regnal name George VI. Since Elizabeth had no brothers, she became heir presumptive.

Her journey to becoming the longest reigning British monarch was far from a given when she was a child.

Queen Elizabeth’s only sibling, Princess Margaret, was born in 1930. The two princesses were educated at home under the supervision of their mother and their governess, Marion Crawford. Lessons concentrated on history, language, literature, and music. Crawford published a biography of Elizabeth and Margaret’s childhood years entitled “The Little Princesses”. The book describes Elizabeth’s love of horses and dogs. Other observations: Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was two as “a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant.”

William Magee Tuke was a Scottish reverend and friend of the family. He knew of Elizabeth’s love of horses and dogs.

Glamis is a small village in Angus, Scotland, the location of Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The children spent much time at Glamis Castle, particularly in their early years. Margarent was born there.

Autograph letter signed, on stationery headed with a vignette of a bulldog, 3 pages, by Queen Elizabeth II as princess, to Rev. Tuke, November 17, 1934. “Dear Mr. Tuke, Thank you very much for your nice books. It was so kind of you to send them. I thought Toutou a lovely story. I am just starting Doney. We remember the lovely stories you told us at Glamis. I hope you are very well. From Elizabeth.” The postmarked envelope in the Princess’s hand is present.

Toutou is the 1929 story of a spoiled fox terrier. His mistress took him on an exciting journey to Morocco where he was stolen. Toutou’s character changed entirely before his mistress saw him again. The story leads up to an exciting climax in the marketplace at Marrakech. There, Toutou proved himself a real dog.

Doney – a Borderland Tale of Ponies and Young People – is the 1934 story of the Pony named Doney and the animals excursions in the English countryside.

The letter comes with first edition copies of both books, and is the earliest letter of Elizabeth to reach the market that we have ever seen.