| Description | Copies and transcripts of correspondence between King George VI and Neville Chamberlain, and correspondence relating to the copies and transcripts.
The letters relate to various matters including several letters regarding foreign affairs. It includes a letter giving details of Chamberlain's visit to Rome in January 1939, a letter detailing Chamberlain's meetings with Leslie Hore-Belisha after he was dismissed as War Secretary and a letter regarding Chamberlain's resignation as Lord President of the Council. Most of the other letters however are fairly short and do not discuss matters in detail. A photocopy of a transcript of Neville Chamberlain's speech given on 4 February 1932 in the House of Commons introducing the Import Duties Bill is also included.
The copies and transcripts were made from original letters held in the Royal Archives at the request of Anne Chamberlain.
The following items are included in this file:
/1-18: Letters from Sir Alan Lascelles [Private Secretary of the Queen and Keeper of the Queen's Archives] and from Robert Mackworth-Young [Librarian at Windsor Castle] to Anne Chamberlain; and copies of letters from Anne Chamberlain to Lascelles and Mackworth-Young. The letters relate to producing copies of the letters from Neville Chamberlain to the King. 1953-1960.
/19: Photocopy of a manuscript transcript by Neville Chamberlain of his speech introducing the Import Duties Bill on 4 February 1932 in the House of Commons.
/20: Transcript of letter from Sir Alexander Hardinge to Neville Chamberlain, regarding his Budget proposals. 19 April 1937.
/21: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King, regarding Chamberlain not attending a meeting of ministers and problems in the Far East and Western Mediterranean; and thanking the King and Queen for Chamberlain's visit to Balmoral. 2 September 1937.
/22: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King, thanking the King for Chamberlain's visit to Windsor. 11 April 1938.
/23: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding Swinton leaving as Secretary of State for Air and the King's approval of new Cabinet appointments. 16 May 1938.
/24: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King, regarding new Cabinet appointments; and Swinton leaving as Air Minister. 17 May 1938.
/25: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding Chamberlain's health; visiting Scotland; and about the 'Czecho Slovakian situation'. 13 August 1938.
/26: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding Chamberlain and the King's health and the 'Czecho Slovakian situation'. 14 August 1938.
/27: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King giving Chamberlain's thoughts about the international situation regarding Germany and Czechoslovakia saying that he has 'a 'hunch'...that we shall get through this time without the use of force'; regarding Chamberlain's stay at Balmoral; his shooting trip in Scotland. 6 September 1938.
/28: Transcript of letter from Alexander Hardinge on behalf of the King to Chamberlain regarding postponement of the first visit to Britain by the Duke of Windsor after his abdication as King; and regarding a visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. 12 September 1938.
/29: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding Chamberlain meeting Hitler. 16 September 1938.
/30: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain congratulating him after the signing of the Munich Agreement. 30 September 1938.
/30a-c: Label, note and copy of letter regarding gifts of venison from the King in September and October 1938.
/31: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding Chamberlain and Halifax's visit to Rome and their meeting with Mussolini. The letter includes comments on Mussolini and comparisons between him and Hitler and the letter also relates to Countess Ciano, the welcome given to Chamberlain by the Italian people, his meeting with the Pope, issues with Spain and the risk of an open quarrel with France regarding Spain, Chamberlain's feeling 'that the personal contacts we have established will tend to keep Mussolini on the rails', and Chamberlain's visit to see the King of Italy. 17 January 1939.
/32: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding Chamberlain's visit to Rome and regarding Spain. 19 January 1939.
/33: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding Chamberlain's suggestion for Alexander Hardinge to become Governor of Madras. The King objected to the suggestion saying that Hardinge was needed as the King's Private Secretary and that if Hardinge left it could suggest 'that he [Hardinge] and I [the King] did not get on, and that he did not agree with the policy of my Gov[ernmen]t'. 3 February 1939.
/34: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding the Governorship of Madras. 7 February 1939.
/35: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding the invasion of the remaining part of Czechoslovakia by Germany. 18 March 1939.
/36: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding the possibility of using Philip of Hesse as a messenger 'to convey to Hitler that we really are in earnest'. 3 July 1939.
/37: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding: the King's suggestion about Philip of Hesse; reports that Hitler 'does understand that we mean business this time'; Chamberlain's talk with Lord Camrose; and rumours in the House of Commons lobby that his audience with the King 'was for the purpose of submitting the names of Winston [Churchill] and Anthony [Eden] for positions in the Cabinet'. 3 July 1939.
/38: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding a proposed pact between Russia and Germany and Chamberlain's letter to Hitler; and regarding the Emergency Powers (Defence) Bill. 23 August 1939.
/39: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding the Duke of Windsor, a proposal that the Duke will join the British Military Mission in France and suggesting the Duke should be advised not to visit Wales as the Duke had proposed. 14 September 1939.
/40: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King of condolence following the death of Princess Louise and regarding Chamberlain meeting the Chief of the Imperial General Staff [Sir Edmund Ironside] giving 'a very reassuring account of the line which he believes is impregnable' but that 'the ground is in a terrible condition'. 4 December 1939.
/41: Transcript of telegram from the King to Chamberlain thanking Chamberlain for his message. 14 December 1939.
/42: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding changes in the Cabinet principally about Leslie Hore-Belisha [Secretary of State for War] and Lord Macmillan [Minister of Information] leaving the Government. It includes a detailed account of Chamberlain's meetings with Hore-Belisha. 8 January 1940.
/43: Telegram from the King to Chamberlain offering 'best wishes' and 'happy returns' on Chamberlain's birthday. 18 March 1940.
/44: Transcript of telegram from Chamberlain to the King, thanking the King for his birthday greeting. 18 March 1940.
/45: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding the proposal for the formation of a War Cabinet. 25 March 1940.
/46: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King regarding Chamberlain's operation. 2 August [1940].
/46A: Photocopy of text on reverse of postcards sent by Chamberlain to the King. [2 August 1940].
/47: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regarding Chamberlain's operation and suggests that ' 'that man' will receive a hot reception if he does try and come here' [appears to refer to the prospect of Hitler attempting to invade Britain]. 5 August 1940.
/48: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King following Chamberlain's offer of resignation as Lord President of the Council and also referring to: his appreciation of the King; the failure of Chamberlain's efforts to preserve peace; and his poor state of health. 30 September 1940.
/49: Photocopy of letter from Chamberlain to the King thanking the King for his letter, and regarding Chamberlain's inability to attend a farewell audience with the King. 5 October 1940.
/50: Transcript of letter from the King to Chamberlain regretting Chamberlain's poor health and in appreciation of Chamberlain and his efforts to preserve peace. 5 October 1940.
/51-66: Correspondence relating to the correspondence between Neville Chamberlain and the King. The letters relate to access conditions for the transcripts and copies of letters. Correspondents included are: Alan Lascelles [Private Secretary to the Queen and Keeper of the Queen's Archives, 1952-53)] Anne Chamberlain, Sir Michael Adeane [Private Secretary to the Queen and Keeper of the Queen's Archives, 1953-72], Robin Mackworth-Young [Librarian, Windsor Castle], Christine Penney [Assistant Librarian, University of Birmingham], Anthony Nicholls [Librarian, University of Birmingham], Sir Robert Armstrong [Secretary of the Cabinet], and Oliver Everett [Librarian, Windsor Castle]. 1960-1985. |
| Custodial History | /46A was formerly unnumbered. /30a-c were deposited by Mr and Mrs Stephen Lloyd in September 1984. |