Queen Elizabeth II’s (1926-2022) first and probably only driver’s license will go under the hammer. As the British “BBC” reports, the document belongs to a private collection of the Queen’s former driving instructor, Major Violet Wellesley MBE.
Before her death in 1971, she arranged for the collection to be sold only after the Queen’s death. The documents and pictures come from the then princess’ training period as a mechanic and truck driver during the Second World War.
The collection also includes a handwritten letter from the teacher to a royal biographer. In it, Wellesley describes how Princess Elizabeth did in the army. Accordingly, she “insisted on being treated like a normal recruit.” She also crawled under cars and got “really dirty”. In addition, she drove excellently for a beginner.
The managing director of Reeman Dansie Auctions explained that the driver’s license was “absolutely unique”. He assumes that the Queen never had anyone else besides this one – simply because she didn’t need it. “The estimate is £1,000 to £2,000 but honestly the offers are going to explode.” That corresponds to around 1,100 to 2,300 euros.
More than a thousand royal objects, art and antiques will go under the hammer at the auction on November 8th and 9th. Also for sale is a long pink satin petticoat worn by the Queen. A plaster cast of Princess Diana’s (1961-1997) hand will also be auctioned. Estimated price converted 34,000 to 45,000 euros.
