1992 Prince Philip Duke Signed Royal Letter Windsor Castle Fire British Royalty

Description

This rare and historically significant letter, dated November 27, 1992, is an original correspondence from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, written shortly after the devastating fire at Windsor Castle. The letter, addressed to an unknown recipient, offers a deeply personal and candid account of the aftermath of the fire, reflecting Prince Philip’s keen attention to detail and his pragmatic outlook during a challenging period for the royal family. Written on official Buckingham Palace stationery, the letter is signed “Philip” in Prince Philip’s distinctive hand, adding a personal and authentic touch to this exceptional piece of royal history.

In the letter, Prince Philip shares his observations on the damage caused by the fire, which occurred while he was away in Argentina. He describes the "ghastly mess" left behind and notes the bitter irony that the fire broke out while work was being carried out to reduce the risk of such an event. Despite the extensive damage, Prince Philip highlights moments of extraordinary luck, such as the fact that the rooms affected were largely emptied of pictures and furniture at the time of the fire. He recounts the survival of valuable items, including china and glass stored in the Glass Pantry, which remarkably remained intact even in the heart of the burnt area. He also mentions the fortunate removal of paintings and armor from St George’s Hall just a day before the fire.

The letter provides a detailed account of the structural damage, noting that it was confined to the roofs and "public" rooms in the north-east corner of the castle. Prince Philip reflects on the extensive repairs required, which would take many years to complete, but also remarks on the serendipitous availability of oak timber due to recent storms. His reflections are imbued with a sense of resilience and optimism, as he concludes that the private areas of the castle would likely be usable again in a relatively short time.

Below is the original transcription of the letter:

"BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
27 November 1992

Thank you very much for your kind letter. One of the advantages of this machine is that I can re-use material so it is no trouble to give you a few details about the fire at Windsor. I was away in Argentina when it happened, but I had a look at the damaged area of the Castle last Monday and it really is a ghastly mess. The irony is that all the work was being carried out in order to reduce the risk of fire!

For all the dreadful damage, we also had some extraordinary luck. It so happens that all the rooms affected were empty of pictures and furniture. In fact, only a very large picture by Beechey of George III on horseback and a massive sideboard in the main Dining Room were lost. All the china was out of its store, but all the glass was still in its cupboards in the Glass Pantry. This was right in the middle of the burnt area, so there was some trepidation when a party led by the Superintendent went to see what had happened to it. They had to clear a lot of rubble from in front of the door, but when they opened it, they found to their amazement that there was no sign of fire whatever!! Every bit of glass was subsequently removed. By another stroke of luck, all the pictures and armour in St George’s Hall had been removed the day before the fire!

In effect, the damage is limited to the structure, principally the roofs, of the ‘public’ rooms in the north-east corner, but it is very extensive and it will obviously take many years to re-construct. Here again fortune is slightly on our side. The heavy gales of recent years blew down a lot of oak trees, so we have an unusually large stock of timber available!!

Since the damage was all in the ‘public’ rooms, it seems that we should be able to use our own rooms again within quite a short time.

With much love,
Philip"

This letter offers a rare insight into Prince Philip’s perspective on one of the most significant events to impact the British royal family in modern history. His informal yet precise tone, combined with his firsthand observations, makes this document a unique and invaluable artifact. Preserved in its original condition, this letter is an exceptional example of Prince Philip’s character, blending pragmatism, wit, and a commitment to the preservation of royal heritage. It is a museum-quality piece, offering a compelling glimpse into a pivotal moment in the history of Windsor Castle and the British monarchy. This one-of-a-kind artifact is an essential addition to any collection of royal memorabilia or historical correspondence.