Musings of a curious soul

“I was learning, even in my brief time in England, that a cup of tea almost always helped. I didn’t know whether it was the caffeine, the warmth, or the simple fact of having someone else do something kind, but a soothing cup of tea in Harriet Dalrymple’s cottage was fast becoming my lifeline to sanity.” — Beth Pattillo

 Always Time For Tea Freehand Embroidery by rachelandgeorge on Etsy

“Elizabeth is 18,” Life magazine, April 1942. Story here. 

On April 21 Princess Elizabeth of England is having her 18th birthday and receives her 18th birthday pearl from her father. If England were at peace, she’d have a great ball. However, she gets her own “household,” meaning one lady in waiting, in addition to the maid and footman that she already shares with her sister Margaret. She also acquires the right to act as councilor of state or senior regent in case her father falls ill or leaves the country. In short, at last she becomes a Royal Personage. 

Posted in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this weekend, I found this a few years ago among piles of Life magazines at the Hanna’s Town flea market. What else? 

At 18, Elizabeth (“Betts”) controls her income of $24,000 per year and inheritances of “unknown amounts,” but only handles a pound ($4) a week, the rest in the hands of the Queen’s treasurer.

She has two fur coats and uses her mother’s designer, Norman Hartnell.