A collection of six letters written by the Queen Mother (1900-2002) to a wounded soldier in 1916 is to sell at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury.
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon met Private James Harding when he was brought to her home of Glamis Castle, which was used as a military hospital during the first world war.
 The Queen Mother met Private Harding when he was brought to Glamis Castle |
The two became friends through playing cards together on the ward, although apparently Harding used to cheat outrageously.
One of the letters includes a poem that reads: "I sometimes go into the Ward, And play a game or two, And if I get the Queen of Spades, T'is only due to you, Private Harding, Are you not ashamed and sorry, That cheating should go on?"
In later letters, dating to after the war, she writes of her concern that Harding is struggling to find a job and her elation when he is hired.
Valentina Borghi, autographs expert at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury, said: "Letters written by the Queen Mother do not appear frequently on the current market and they are very sought after by collectors of Royal autographs and memorabilia.
"They paint a picture of Lady Elizabeth as a very witty young woman."
The letters are expected to sell for around £5,000-7,000 ($6,566-9,192).
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