As part of a collection that includes never-before-seen photos of the Royal Family, auctioneers will auction off candid snaps of Prince Charles at Windsor Castle.
The photos were taken by Michael Farebrother, a former Grenadier Guard-turned-schoolmaster who served as a private tutor to Prince Charles in the mid-1950s.
The joy Charles felt while spending time at Mr Farebrother’s house shines through in these joyful snaps. One shows the young prince looking over the parapet at Windsor Castle, while another shows him dressed up in a man’s overcoat.
Farebrother, who was 67 years old, died in 1987. He had been posted to Windsor Castle during World War II and corresponded for 40 years with the royals, including many lengthy handwritten letters from Queen Elizabeth.
His collection of personal photographs, memos and letters were kept in a cloth-bound album which is expected to fetch up to £80,000 when it goes under the hammer at Gorringes auction house in Lewes, East Sussex, on December 7.
One of the letters from the Queen following Louis Mountbatten’s death is here. She candidly discusses her feelings about The Troubles and writes: ‘One cannot only pray that he won’t have died in vain. That some good may come out of this terrible act, blowing up a holiday family and will shock people into doing things about Ireland – if their opinions weren’t so entrenched.
She expressed her delight in Charles’s friendship with Mr Farebrother in separate notes. Charles, for his part, signed his letters to Mr Farebrother “your erstwhile pupil” and used his nickname, Charlie’.
Precious moments: The Queen Mother and Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, and Prince Charles in one of Mr Farebrother’s photos, believed to have been taken during the 1950s. It is part of an auctioned collection of never-before seen photos
Growing up fast! Prince Charles, wearing an oversized coat, a black bowler cap, and carrying an umbrella during a light-hearted moment at Mr Farebrother. The tutor worked as a schoolmaster, and for the royals.
King of the castle! Prince Charles is captured looking over the parapet at Windsor Castle while he studies with his school tutor. Mr Farebrother was with the family at Windsor Sandringham and Buckingham Palace.
Take a look at me! Charles leaps in the air for a candid snap taken by Mr Farebrother in 1950s Windsor Castle
Her Majesty’s horses: The Queen and her beloved horse Betsy (right) In a February 10, 1957 letter (left), the Queen thanked Mr Farebrother for sending her a photo, which she joked looked more like a camel.
Young gentleman: Prince Charles larks around for the camera in a photo taken on a country walk with the royals, thought to be in the 1950s. Next month, the entire collection of Mr Farebrother’s personal treasures will be up for auction
In one of her earliest letters to the Queen, she expressed her sadness at the loss of her father, February 1952.
After ascending to the throne, she declared with stoicism that “I have a task to do”.
She stated that her father’s death was “so much worse” for her mother and younger sister Margaret, so they could not look forward.
Personal collection: The archive belonged (pictured) to Michael Farebrother who was a schoolmaster and royal tutor.
The Royal Family was again shaken 27 years later when Lord Louie Mountbatten, a IRA bomber, was set off at Mullaghmore in County Sligo, Ireland. This happened in August 1979.
Her Majesty broke royal protocol to discuss politics in a rare instance, and she expressed doubts that Northern Ireland’s troubles would ever be solved.
She wrote: “One can only hope that he will not die in vain and some good may result from this terrible act, blowing up families on holiday, and will shock people into doing things about Ireland – if their opinions weren’t so entrenched.”
The letter and photographs were kept by Mr Farebrother, who then had them bound in red cloth.
It is now being sold by a relative with Gorringe’s Auctioneers of Lewes, East Sussex, for a pre-sale estimate of between £50,000 to £80,000.
Black and white photos show Prince Charles, an eight-year old boy, playing in the grounds and parapets at Windsor Castle.
One charming photo shows him wearing an oversized coat, a black bowler cap, and carrying an umbrella.
The little prince: Charles smiles to his tutor on a day in the country. It is believed that this was in the 1950s. Even then, the young prince was smartly dressed in a shirt and tie for his day. Over the years, he wrote to Farebrother
Prince Charles riding on a horse (left) while looking out of the window (right). The Queen wrote to Mr Farebrother, thanking him for “winning her son’s friend”. Charles continued to write to the former tutor even after he had left royal service.
Private moments: Prince Charles, Princess Margaret (centre), and the Queen Mother on a country walk (back turned). Mr Foarebrother wrote his father about a New Year’s Eve spent with the Royal Family, when he danced alongside the Queen Mother.
Country retreat: Princess Margaret, left, in conversation In one letter, the former royal tutor explained how Princess Margaret had performed a rock ‘n roll record at New Years Eve to the delight and excitement of the children.
Starting young: Princess Anne is seen horse riding. The black-and-white snapped was kept in an album along with Mr Farebrother’s other mementoes, which are now being auctioned with an estimated price of £50,000-£80,000
Family time: Princess Margaret (Prince Charles), the Queen Mother and Prince Charles in another of Mr Farebrother’s photos of the royals
There are also images of Princess Margaret and Queen Mother with Betsy, one her most beloved horses.
In a February 10, 1957 correspondence, the Queen expressed gratitude to Mr Farebrother who sent her a photo. It was a photo that Betsy looked more like a camel.
She wrote: “It was very kind of you to send the photos that you took at Sandringham, which I am delighted with. I am sorry that the camera shows that Betsy is more like an animal than a horse. That is what I have been told and I will never believe.
She later thanked him for tutoring Charles at Sandringham during the Christmas holidays of 1956/57.
She wrote, “It made all his difference and he so clearly enjoyed you being there and it’s so clever of you to not be in best schoolmaster-ish’ with them and win their friendship so quickly.
Mr Farebrother had spent New Year’s Eve with the Royal Family, and he recounted the festivities in his father’s letter. He also included dancing with the Queen Mother.
He wrote ‘…dinner together with the Duchess. on my left, a film, hot punch, and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at night. The Queen Mum then asked me to dance with her to the wireless, and everyone joined in. The children have a great time and Princess Margaret makes a rock ‘n’ roll record.
Honest feelings: After Louis Mountbatten’s death, the Queen wrote Mr Farebrother to express her doubts about the future resolution of the Troubles. She wrote: ‘One cannot but pray that he will not die in vain and may some good come out of this terrible act, blowing up a family vacation and shock people into doing anything about Ireland’
Generations of memories: Princess Elizabeth, then, wrote to Mr Farebrother (or ‘Michael) in 1947 to thank him and to express her gratitude for his congratulations on her engagement. Following the birth Prince William’s son, Prince Charles wrote to Michael in 1982, signing off ‘Charlie.
Invitation to dinner: Michael Farebrother sent this invitation to Queen and Princess Margaret to dinner at Windsor
Personal thanks: Charles was also tutored at Sandringham by the Queen during the Christmas holidays of 1956/57. She wrote (left, right): ‘It was all the difference to him. He so obviously enjoyed you being here and it was so clever you not to be best’schoolmasterish’ with him.
School projects: Mr Farebrother also kept track of the work of his young pupils, including this drawing from Prince Charles
Practice makes perfect! Prince Charles completed a military-themed worksheet for his handwriting lesson (left) with Mr Farebrother. Right, Princess Anne produced this sweet painting of a teddy bear for one of her lessons with the tutor
Close to home: Prince Charles practiced his handwriting with Mr Farebrother listing Sandringham train times.
After her engagement to Prince Philip, and the births of Charles (and Prince Andrew), the Queen also wrote Mr Farebrother a thank you note.
In a letter dated November 28, 1948, 14 days after the birth Prince Charles, Princess Elizabeth stated that she was extremely proud of him.
“We are also happy that he has brought a little happiness to so many other people than ourselves. It has been so much since the Windsor days, and it is sometimes hard to believe that I am now married and have a child of my own.
She wrote to her mother on March 6, 1960, 15 day after Prince Andrew’s birth, “Charles had the chance to go off for the weekend – Anne and he are completely fascinated with the baby.”
Four documents relate to the time Prince Charles was tutored by Mr Farebrother.
Personal touch: A letter from the Queen to Michael Farebrother thanking him for his sympathies one week after the death of her father King George VI, in 1952. It was sent at St Peter’s School to Mr Farebrother.
Bundle of joy: Princess Elizabeth, then Princess of Wales, wrote this thoughtful response to Mr Farebrother following the birth of Prince Charles. She wrote, “We are also glad that the he has given some happiness to so many other people than ourselves.”
Treasured: Mr Farebrother kept the photographs and letters for the rest of their lives and had them bound in a red cloth album. The album includes 26 photographs and letters dating back over 40 years.
Married life: Prince Charles signed his title ‘Charlie” in this letter he wrote following his 1981 wedding to Diana
Personal touch: The Queen wrote to Farebrother in 1957 about Charles’ school experience (left). Right, a 1979 letter
Carefully preserved: A sample of pages kept by Mr Farebrother (left), including letters from Princess Margaret (right).
Warm thanks: Princess Anne wrote a thank you letter to Mr Farebrother in 1980. She signed it simply: “Anne”
A royal collector’s fantasy: The album of letters and memos, as well as photographs, is steeped in Mr Farebrother’s private past
His drawings include a drawing of a rural English landscape, a house, and a finger signpost. Charles also used his handwriting practice to fill in the gaps of historical names and events, such as William I 1066.
One of the letters from the Prince of Wales to Mr Farebrother concerns the death Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones, who was posthumously awarded with the Victoria Cross in Falklands War.
Farebrother was a British army officer who had taught at St Peter’s preparatory college in Seaford (East Sussex) and had apparently written Charles about the officer’s heroic death in an earlier correspondence.
Charles wrote on July 30, 1982 that he had sent a condolence letter to Col Jones’ widow Sara.
He said, “I didn’t know he was at your school and that you had your sons there.” I did my best to help Sara. She is a brave woman and ‘H’ is a true hero. Your account moved me deeply.
Charles signed off “with warmest wishes, happy memories of those far-off tutoring times!”
Charles wrote two years later about a memorial service to Mrs Townend, former headmistress at Hill House School in London’s Knightsbridge. He was a student there from 1956 to 1958.
He wrote: “I will never forget these acid drops-nor for that matter the gym mistress who had large legs and shouted commence! He screamed loudly at the beginning of each exercise.
He signed off “from your erstwhile teacher.” Charles.
Charles also described the 1984 ‘jolly Christmas’ at Windsor Castle. He said that William had a wonderful time following all the other children until his face was purple.’.
Farebrother attended Eton College, Oxford University, where he played first-class cricket for the unit. However his sporting career was cut short when the Second World War broke out.
He served in the Grenadier Guards, fought in the Italian Campaign, and was incorrectly reported as having been killed in action in 1945’s Wisden Cricketers Almanack.
After leaving the Army, he worked as a teacher and was promoted to headmaster at St Peter’s School in 1956. He was 67 years old when he died in Seaford in September 1987.
Philip Taylor, of Gorringes said that he was privileged to be asked to sell ‘The Michael Farebrother collection of papers concerning The Queen and Her Family’. This is the first time they have been offered for sale. It is a rare and historic album of candid correspondence, previously unpublished photographs, and ephemera.
“It contains a large selection o manuscript letters from Prince Charles to the Queen on many matters both private and public. The collection, which has been chronologically compiled, reflects Michael Farebrother’s life and career as well as an intimate look into the daily life of the Royal household in early 1950s.
The album will be sold on December 7.