Royal fans can take a step back in time as a collection of keepsakes that once belonged to King Charles‘s trusted employee is set to be auctioned off.
The collection of John Hitchings, who worked for the monarch for more than 60 years until his death in 2020, includes 43 Christmas cards issued by Charles and may fetch up to £15,000 at auction with Penzance-based Lay’s Auctioneers.
John Hitchings became a land steward for the Duchy of Cornwall in 1959 and knew Charles for over 60 years until he died in 2020.
He kept hold of every Christmas card he was sent by Charles from 1977 to 2019 as well as souvenirs from the 1981 Royal wedding.
The images on the front of the cards chart Charles’ life from a bachelor to Diana, fatherhood and latterly his marriage to Camilla.
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A collection of keepsakes including Christmas cards from King Charles for more than 40 years is set to go up for auction. Pictured: Charles and Diana with William and Harry as they posed on a pony for the family’s 1985 Christmas card
There are notes addressed to him from both Charles and Diana, making them sought-after by collectors.
The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established in 1337 which funds the public, charitable and private activities of the Prince of Wales and his family.
As the land steward, Mr Hitchings was the Duchy’s public face and responsible for all aspects of its property and land management.
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This Christmas card, sent out in 1992, was signed by both Charles and Diana in what was to be the final holiday greeting sent out by the pair as a married couple. It does not feature Charles and Diana; rather Princes William and Harry against a backdrop
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This Christmas card, which features King Charles with William and Harry pictured on the Royal Yacht Britannia just a few days before Princess Diana’s death was sent out by the family in 1997
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This 1995 Christmas card sent out by King Charles as a single man features a comical pose in which the father-of-two sits on a bench in his garden while his sons beam from behind two huge pots either side of him
Mr Hitchings established a Central District office which managed over 75,000 acres, including large areas of Dartmoor and the South West Foreshore.
During his time at the Duchy, he and his wife Christina attended the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana and he managed many Royal visits.
Charles was described as being very ‘hands-on’ and involved in the running of the Duchy and Mr Hitchings had regular contact over the years.
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The then Prince and Princess of Wales pose with Prince William, who appears to be just weeks old, in a new family photo which was sent out to loved ones in their 1982 Christmas card
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This Christmas card, which features King Charles in a kilt and appears to have been taken at Balmoral, was the first signed off by the King alone following his divorce from Princess Diana
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This family portrait, which appears to have been taken during the summer months, was released as the family’s 1987 Christmas card
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Charles and Diana’s 1991 Christmas card, the final one in which they appeared together, featured a much more formal setting in which the family gathered around a bench and were dressed in their finest
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Pictured: Prince William and Harry with their father King Charles in the woodland, striking a pose for the family’s 2002 Christmas card
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Another Christmas card photo which appears to have been taken at Balmoral features King Charles, his two teenage sons and a black Labrador in 2000
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This photo of a young family was released by Charles and Diana in 1986 – in which both royal boys are wearing shorts. Royal fans will notice a glimpse of Prince Louis in a young William’s cheeky face
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Charles and Diana’s 1981 Christmas card featured a wedding portrait from the year they tied the knot. It was the first Christmas card signed by the couple
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In the family’s 1989 Christmas card, Charles and Diana opted for matching outfit for their young sons which included blue polo shirts, white jeans and burgundy boots
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The Christmas cards in the collection date back to before Charles and Diana married – such as this example from 1979 which instead features King Charles in a carriage with the Queen Mother
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The 1988 Christmas card features King Charles in his military gear as he stands up with Prince William, while a very young Prince Harry sits on his mother Diana’s lap on a bench
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Pictured: The 1990 Christmas card issued by Charles and Diana, featuring the whole family. Prince William and Prince Harry are wearing matching outfits
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Charles’s 1977 Christmas card features a photo of him dressed in headwear belonging to an indigenous community in Canada. It was taken during a ceremony in which he was made Indian Chief Red Crow
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In another photo of a young royal family before Prince Harry was born, this snap which appears to have been taken in Balmoral was issued by the royal family in 1983
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This sweet family potrait shows how 3 became 4 following the birth of Prince Harry in 1984. The young Prince appears to be only days old as his mother cradles him
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The Christmas card collection also features much more recent snaps, such as this one of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2018
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This photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla was taken in 2010 during a skiing trip in Scotland and marked their Christmas card that year
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This photo, which featured on King Charles’s 2001 Christmas card, features him on horseback, flanked by his sons, during a game of polo
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This snap of King Charles was sent out for Christmas in 1978, as he posed at Balmoral with a beloved family pet
In recognition of his stellar service, he was awarded ‘Member of The Victorian Order’ (MVO) and ‘Lieutenant of The Victorian Order’ (LVO).
Mr Hitchings’ family have decided to sell his collection so it can be shared with Royal aficionados who they hope will ‘get much pleasure from it’.
They said: ‘We as a family are so proud of John and we miss him everyday.
‘We are happy to share what he achieved with others and hope that whoever acquires the collection gets as much pleasure as we have over the years from it.’
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Also included in the collection, which is set to fetch up to £15,000 at auction, is official memorabilia from Charles and Diana’s 1981 wedding
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This souvenir from Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981 will also go up for auction at Lay’s Auctioneers
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John Hitchings, who worked for King Charles for more than 60 years until his death in 2020, appears to also have been in possession of a balloon from Charles and Diana’s 1981 wedding
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Also included in John Hitchings’ collection is his invitation to Charles and Diana’s wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1981
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Pictured here is another invitation to Charles and Diana’s wedding which explains the instructions for guests upon arrival at the venue
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This official programme from Charles and Diana’s wedding, which was priced at 50p at the time, is also included in the collection
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Another piece of memorabilia collected by Mr Hitchings is a napkin dated back to Charles and Diana’s wedding
Lay’s Auctioneers, of Penzance, Cornwall, say it is one of the largest Royal collections of its type to come on to the market.
The material, which is split into over 50 lots, is expected to spark a bidding war.
Specialist Mimi Connell-Lay said: ‘The collection of the late John Hitchings is a joyful celebration of the long career of a dedicated and much respected royal employee.
‘He was a man who ensured the smooth running of the everyday affairs of the Duchy of Cornwall, and by default, the practical life of the then Prince Charles, the Duke of Cornwall.
‘John gave decades of trusted, loyal service and was a valued and respected employee of King Charles whilst he was The Prince of Wales, which is reflected in the many years worth of cards, gifts and letters that he received from his Royal Highness.
‘This fascinating collection spans a remarkable period, from 1977 to 2019.
‘Starting when King Charles was a bachelor, the photographic cards show the progression of much of his life, through his marriage to Princess Diana, the birth and growing-up of his sons, divorce, and then marriage to Camilla, now Queen consort.
‘Along with the many other notes, letters and other royal items, it is so unusually extensive and a very special collection indeed.’
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