General Chat

Hi Norah, I do not know what age the little Princess was. I had an E-Mail from a lady Elizabeth (Gordan) regarding the letters. Liz really appeared to know her history. Perhaps she will read this and give us some help with your question. Bridget x

Yet another gem Bridget. How old would the little German princess have been then? Any idea? Thank you again Norah

Thanks for the latest episode, I look forward to each day's installment. Helen

Taken from “The Farmers Weekly” July 1969 This is a very long letter so I will send it in 2 parts. My Dear Father, Your kind letter reached me safely yesterday morning. How hot it is. We shall need rain badly very soon. We always seem to be on the grumble, those who have anything to do with animals and land I think. I have not had her Majesty yet. I am told she scarcely leaves the garden cottage in the mornings because of the heat. I don’t wonder really, Dear old lady, she does very well by us, besides, I say. I should not be surprised if she did not come until she wished us goodbye if this weather continues. This will be my tenth interview with her Majesty. The Grand Duchess of Hesse and my little princess left on Friday evening. The Grand Duke has measles, so they wanted to get back or intended staying longer. On Friday morning just before dinner, the dear little Princess came with her lady attendant, in her little carriage, to wish goodbye. The little pet almost sprang at me and seemed so delighted to see me again. She carried something wrapped in tissue paper and after she shook hands, commenced opening it and came forward and said “ I have brought you a photograph of me, Miss Griffiths, which Mama hopes you will like. And there is my name you see, written by Mama because I am not old enough to do it yet. We are sorry the frame is not a better one, but it is the best we can get here.” I curtsied and thanked her. She seemed so pleased and, of course I said I would value it as long as I lived. “ And will you always try and remember me Miss Griffiths? And do you ever come over to Germany? If you do, you will come and see me won’t you? Will you make butter for me some day if I come back to see Gran Gran when I am a big girl?” “Oh yes Princess, with pleasure, if I am not too old then” “Oh, but there’s no need for you to get old. Gran Gran says you are so clever and I showed her how to make wheatsheafs out of butter. May I choose some butter for my tea today?” So away we went to the big dairy and lifted the muslin. “Two wheatsheafs and two strawberries, please Miss Griffiths dear” Then she asked her lady to let her go to wish goodbye to the cows, but the lady said “No,” there wasn’t time. “But if you just let me go this once, I’ll go quite nicely with Miss Griffiths” So with that, she put her little hand in mine and we skipped away to the byre, to her delight. I felt quite sorry parting with the dear little thing. She shook hands over and over again and then held up her little left hand “German fashion” for me to kiss. She is such a dot. She left, waving her hand till out of sight. Love, Bridget x