On this day in 1919, Queen Mary went with Queen Maud to meet new tenants on the Sandringham Estate. They also spent time at Appleton House (Maud’s home on the estate) and spent time with Princess Victoria, where Maud took the above photographs of Mary and Victoria. Upon returning home, Queen Mary began to compose a letter to her son Bertie (future George VI) who was stationed in Belgium, but before The Queen finished writing, she received a phone call from Lala Bill, Prince John’s nanny. Mrs. Bill informed Her Majesty that Johnnie had suffered a severe epileptic fit and had passed away in his sleep. The Queen rushed to the King and informed him of the shocking news. They immediately drove to Wood Farm where their 13-year-old son lay peacefully. Much later that evening, The Queen finished her letter to Bertie. She relayed the news and briefly spoke of the sorrow that was felt but asked Bertie to excuse her for not writing more as she was very much in a state of shock. ♥️ [Primary Text Source - In the Eye of the Storm: George V and the Great War by Alexandra Churchill] #queenmary #maryofteck #princejohn #georgev #kinggeorgev #princessvictoria #queenmaud #sandringham #history #otd https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnj0wHnOJms/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
