Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979
Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979
Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979
Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979
Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979
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Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979
Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979

Antique Signed Letter Princess Michael of Kent Death of Lord Mountbatten 1979

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Bibelotslondon Ltd is a UK registered company based in London Bridge dealing in ephemera and curiosities from Britain and around the world. Our diverse inventory is carefully chosen and constantly evolving. We work very hard to offer the highest quality works at competitive prices. Our inventory is listed online, and we strive to keep our website completely up to date, so our customers can easily check availability. We believe in offering clients items that are unique and rare for aficionados of the antique and collector's world. Bibelot is a late nineteenth century word derived from the French word bel 'beautiful', meaning a small item of beauty, curiosity or interest. The word ephemera is derived from the sixteenth century Greek word ephmera meaning a printed or hand written paper not meant to be retained for a long period of time.

Fine antique signed letter on her personal embossed stationery 'MC' surmounted by a crown, dated 28th August 1979 from Princess Michael of Kent written whilst on board a plane from Tahiti to London regarding the murder of Lord Louis Mountbatten by the IRA. From the collection of John Barratt, Private Secretary to Earl Mountbatten and later to Prince Michael of Kent.


"Dear John,

Not even Uncle Dickie with his great wisdom and foresight, could have prepared you for this.

We landed yesterday on the remote atoll of Manihi, 2 hours from Tahiti, to be met with the awful news. Knowing I have 24 hours to sit and think on the long journey home, I thought of you and of your great loss. You were surely closer to him than anyone and knew him probably better. His death was the final sacrifice after a full life of service and devotion to his country, his family and his friends. He died for something. His death will surely lose for the IRA any sympathy they might have had in the world. The futility of murdering and old man who had proved to the world what he stood for - honesty, justice, courage and country, and what against - injustice, tyranny, evil - Having lived as a hero, wasn't it fitting he died a hero? Perhaps my sensitivities are dislodged by shock, if so please forgive me, but I feel Uncle Dickie might have seen his assassination as his final sacrifice to his Queen and country. If only some good would come from it, because to most of the world and especially those who loved him there is only the pain and the great loss.

For us also, the loss of the only one who cared and put his words and advice into action. We shall never forget our debt to him and that we owe our happiness to him. With Uncle Dickie's death everyone has lost something. We have lost our greatest friend, ally, mentor, the only 'father figure' either of us has ever known.

No doubt you will have to be in London a lot - please call us and dine with us alone. You know we loved him.

Please extend all our sympathy to everyone at Broadlands - if Kimberley needs a home we would be happy to have him. He would have company in xxx

Sincerely,

Marie-Christine"

Size: 16 x 20.5 cm approx


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