Hilarious note from the late Queen shows corgi puppies carried out very naughty act

A charming anecdote featuring the late Queen's corgi puppies, which evidently had a penchant for Royal photographs, has come to light with the discovery of a humorous note penned by Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Addressed to Alan Maxwell, who served as the Royal family's trusted photography expert, the notes were found among a rich cache of Royal memorabilia uncovered in a simple cardboard box a decade and a half following Mr. Maxwell's passing. The compelling collection, now set to be auctioned off, boasts a series of personal correspondences, including heartfelt letters and tokens of gratitude extended to Mr. Maxwell for his long-standing service.

The archive also hosts an array of over 60 Christmas and New Year cards distributed by the Royal family between the '70s and '90s, highlighting their endearing tradition. It's apparent that Mr. Maxwell, a reputable photographic and camera expert at Wallace H Eaton Ltd in London—a firm honoured with serving the Royal Family—played a significant role.

He was their go-to figure for all things photography, even instrumental in selecting the picturesque scenes featured on the annual Royal Christmas cards. On one occasion, preceding a festive season, the Queen Elizabeth II sent a memo to Mr. Maxwell disclosing an amusing incident: "Please check the print with the negatives to find out which is missing - eaten by the puppies – ER.", reports the Mirror. This lighthearted reveal paints a picture of Royal life's unexpected moments behind closed doors.

An additional note, penned by King Charles when he still held the title of Prince of Wales back in 1993, uncovers his candid thoughts about his "unpromising material" for that year's holiday greetings. Within this stash, varied ensembles are unveiled—one set captures him standing proudly in a kilt alongside Princes William and Harry; another showcases Diana, Princess of Wales, with her young sons; and yet another stars the Queen alongside Prince Philip, offering a glimpse into the storied past and intimate family moments of Britain's most illustrious household.

In the heartfelt note, he expressed his gratitude: "Dear Mr Maxwell, I just wanted to thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into producing possible Christmas cards for me this year. I couldn't be more pleased with what you have achieved from some pretty unpromising material! " He continued to praise the work, saying, "I thought you did wonders in interpreting my ideas of having a card made up of three small pictures, and only narrowly preferred the group version in the end. I only hope it is appreciated by several thousand recipients."

Apologising for an inconvenience caused, he added, "I am sorry that my ridiculously congested programme meant that you had a fruitless journey to London, and that I did not have an opportunity to congratulate you in person, but did want you to know how grateful I am for all you have done on this and other projects. What on Earth would I do without you? ! Yours sincerely, Charles."

This remarkable collection is expected to fetch £8,000 at Hansons Auctioneers, though it could command a much higher price. Amongst the items for sale is another letter penned by Diana in 1992, where she conveyed her thanks to Mr Maxwell for his timely help: "Dear Mr Maxwell, A very special thank you for coming to our rescue at such short notice! I did appreciate enormously the speed in which the photographs arrived here and am only sorry for the trouble we must have caused! Yours most sincerely, Diana."

Adding to the festive collection is a heartfelt 1988 Christmas card from Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh, picturing Elizabeth cradling baby Princess Beatrice of York in her arms, with The Queen Mother looking on.

Crowned as potentially the most coveted item, expected to reel in between £500 and £700, is a typed and signed letter from Queen Elizabeth to Mr Maxwell. Penned on official Buckingham Palace stationery, the correspondence extends gratitude for his good wishes on the occasion of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's golden wedding anniversary, paired with 13 photo memorandums signed 'ER'.

Enclosed within the letter is this appreciative message: "Many thanks for getting a repeat for the picture of Harold Wilson and me - he's had them in his wallet for years! Practically rubbed it away."

Compounding the Queen’s communication, she requests: "I am giving you a large and difficult order for copies of pictures I took of my Jersey cows that won prizes recently; with the help of a New Zealand farmer and his wife, and they want the photos for souvenirs! There is no immediate hurry as they've gone back to NZ. ER."

Mr Maxwell passed away in 2009 and now his collection is up for sale, with many of the notes and letters being seen for the first time. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: "Members of the Royal family always called him Mr Maxwell, not Alan."

"He was a man of absolute discretion, hence earning their respect. He printed Christmas cards and trimmed and framed them. He was an absolute perfectionist. Mr Maxwell, a Yorkshireman, passed away 15 years ago and now his collection has finally come to light."

"It's important in terms of Royal history but also allows us to pay tribute to a man held in high esteem by royalty. In the digital age it's easy to forget that all photos used to be sent off to be developed and printed. The Royal family, among the most photographed people in the world, came to rely on Mr Maxwell for their photographic needs and he was proud to serve them."

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