EDWARD VII: (1841-1910) King of the United Kingdom 1901-10. An unusually long A.L.S., with his initials AE, as Prince of Wales, seven pages, 8vo, London, 21st March (1886), to Miss. J. Chamberlain, on his personal printed stationery from Marlborough House. The Prince thanks his correspondent for their letter, which it gave him great pleasure to receive, and comments on the arrival of the spring weather, also referring to the death of a friend whom he had known for thirty years, and continuing to send news of his recent activities, 'I went down to Torquay to see the Prs. & my girls & found them all much better but I think they will prolong their stay there...the following day I returned here - dined with Ld. Lathorn (?) at the Marlborough - & then went to the Amateur Society's Smoking Concert wh. was very good', further reporting on another lunch at Grosvenor Square and adding 'I then went to a matinee at the Princes Theatre to see Mrs. Langtry in "The Lady of Lyons" wh. she acted admirably & left by the 5 o'clock train for Aldershot where I stayed the night with my son & officers...the next morning I witnessed some drilling....The same evening I went to Windsor Castle & spent the night there, so you see I have been in the train every day. I returned here yesterday & host a charming dinner with old Alfred in the Traveller's Club. I gave him your message about yr. picture going to the Grosvenor Gallery but he had heard all about it...Later I took my sister...to the...club where we saw a French play wh. was indifferently acted...' The Prince further comments 'There is no news & society is stagnant' before remarking that he imagines his correspondent's return to New York will be pleasant, and adding 'I have not fallen in love with anybody, but there is no saying what is in store for me', concluding 'Now goodbye & God bless you my little Jeannie, with kind regards to all...from your sincere old friend'. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by the Prince. A letter of excellent social content, and of interest for its reference to Lillie Langtry. Some small, neat splits to the right edge of the central folds, only very slightly affecting the text, but not the signature. Otherwise about VG

Lillie Langtry (1853-1929) British Actress, mistress of King Edward VII.