Princess Helena to Miss Ffennell from Osborne House, 28 Dec. 1891

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Princess Helena (Princess Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein): Born in May 1846, Princess Helena, was the third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Princess Helena was one of the most active members of the royal family, being the patron of many charities and carrying out a huge number of royal engagements, with specific interests in hand embroidery and nursing. She became the first President of the School of Art Needlework after Lady Victoria Welby and Lady Marion Alford set it up, staying for 51 years. The letters held in the RSN archive demonstrate an active correspondence with Miss Ffennel, the Secretary over many years. Letters cover the arrangements for meetings and sales of work, as well as commissions, such as that for the wedding train of her daughter Marie Louise. They show an active engagement in fundraising, and in promoting the work of the School. It was she who said the RSAN would embroider Queen Victoria’s funeral pall, even when all commercial companies had turned it down, and it was she who persuaded her brother, Edwards VII to allow the RSAN to embroider the insignia on his coronation mantle. Princess Helena died in 1923, the RSN commissioned a memorial tablet that remains in its possession. Sources: The RSN and Princess Helena - Royal School of Needleworkhttps://royal-needlework.org.uk/rsn-and-princess-helena/accessed 4.3.25 Kay Williams, S. (2024) An Unbroken Thread: Celebrating 150 Years of the Royal School of needlework ACC Art Books

Dec: 28.1891. Dear Miss Ffennell I return the Certificates signed. You will have heard of the serious accident my dear husband has met with - out shooting & the loss of one of his eyes! I know that you all in my dear School will feel for him & for me in this great trial. The injured eye had to be removed. The operation was quite successful and I am thankful to say the Prince is doing as well as we could wish - & the Drs [doctors] hope that he may be out again at the end of the week. He has no pain & no fever. Yrs [Yours] - very truly Helena

MS 275.18