As part of a "extraordinary" collection of royal items, colorful pictures of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip that have never been seen before are now for sale. People think that Charles drew the color and pencil pictures of his parents when he was about 5 or 6 years old, between 1953 and 1955. The sweet picture of "Mummy" is drawn on lined paper and shows a blonde-haired Queen with a smile wearing a yellow and red striped evening gown, a purple tiara, red drop earrings, and her signature handbag. Charles' "Papa" seems to be a much less colorful figure, but he still smiles. He is wearing a tuxedo and bow tie in the simple line drawing. When they go up for auction in Britain on Friday, the two drawings are likely to bring in between £5,000 and £10,000 ($6,500 to $12,700).
In a news release from Hansons Auctioneers, the company's owner, Charles Hanson, said, "This is an incredibly moving collection. These touching drawings and pictures from their childhood remind us that when they're not busy serving the country, our royals enjoy the simple, everyday moments of family life. "If you give a kid a crayon and a pencil, almost all of their first drawings are of their family. Our King was the same. This collection will make it easier for people to relate to him as our ruler."
The auction house says that the drawings are part of a "extraordinary" collection of royal items. There are eight more drawings by Prince Charles when he was still a young boy. There's one with a pair of carmine bee-eater birds and the name "Charles" on it. There's also one with a delivery van from "Happybright, Mr. Charles's Shop" on it. There are also several animals and an Easter card. There is also a drawing the young prince made for his father that looks like a picture. It is thought to have been done between 1954 and 1956. It shows a sailor getting some "hair restorer" from an urn, along with a note from March 25, 1954, that says, "Dear Papa, I can't wait to see you on the ship, Love, Charles." Also for sale are cards that Princess Anne made when she was very young for her father. These are expected to sell for much less, up to £600 (about $760).
The King is still interested in art, and last year, a show of his paintings was held in London. He has said that painting is "one of the most relaxing and therapeutic things I know." He has also said that painting "refreshes parts of the soul that other things can't reach."
Selena Mattei