Late Queen's flying habits revealed in new Concorde memorabilia
The late Queen was said to be fond of British Airways
PA
Newly unearthed Concorde and BA memorabilia has revealed the late Queen Elisabeth's flying habits.
Documents from the late Elizabeth Evans (nee Yarwood), from Moseley, Birmingham have revealed the Queen liked to have a bowl of Velva mints at hand and in her dressing room as well as a Martini before guests arrived.
The documents belonged to Evans, who served as cabin crew for British Airways for 28 years from 1970. She served many celebrities with some of the most memorable journeys being the Queen and Prince Philip's 1989 tour of Singapore and Malaysia.
The memorabilia, inherited by Elizabeth Evans' niece Jo Smallwood, includes signed menu cards and autographs from some of the world’s biggest stars such as singers Rod Stewart and Cliff Richard, actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Patrick Swayze and tennis legends Virginia Wade and Billie Jean King.
Some of the memorabilia belonging to the late Elizabeth Evans
Hansons
Jo, 53, a retired police officer, from Solihull, West Midlands, said: "I was aware of some of the things Elizabeth had kept from her career with BA but nothing on this scale.
"She married late in life, moving to Devon and finally Hermanus in South Africa. The objects were found there in her study following her death at the age of 70 in 2017. I came across them when I travelled to South Africa to arrange the funeral.
“Having found this treasure trove relating to my aunt’s career and experiences with BA, especially the fantastic trips on Concorde and serving the Queen, I found it sad that none of it had seen the light of day.
"I believe this collection is a little piece of history that should be shared and enjoyed by somebody."
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leaving their British Airways flight at the start of their five-day State Visit in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1986
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The late Queen was said to be fond of British Airways
PA
Now, the lot is going under the hammer in Hansons Auctioneers’ August 15-20 Antiques and Collectors’ sale. It is being guided at £400-£600.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: "Elizabeth’s archive sweeps us back in time to the 1970s, 80s and 90s when flying on Concorde was a luxurious privilege enjoyed by the wealthy jet-set. Celebrities flocked to use its services and carrying royalty was the norm. Service had to be first class.
"Elizabeth was clearly highly regarded by BA because she served some of the most important people in the world. Take that 1989 British Airways Royal Flight. Her memorabilia includes confidential instructions on how to care for our late Queen and Prince Philip – right down to the sweets Her Majesty preferred on take-off.
“The Queen liked to have a bowl of Velva mints at hand and in her dressing room. The instructions also stated she, ‘tends to like a Martini before her guests arrive’. Royal comforts included having her own pillows and her dresser made up her bed. Also, if Her Majesty was asleep prior to landing cabin crew were instructed not to disturb her. She should be left in her bed."
Elizabeth Evans’s memorabilia collection was the result of a 28-year career working for British Airways
Hansons
Hanson added: "Though that particular flight was not on Concorde, Queen Elizabeth II closely followed Concorde’s development. She enjoyed her first supersonic flight in 1977 and used the aircraft for state visits.
"The Queen of the Skies was seen as fitting transport for the Queen of the Realm. In 1991, Charles and Diana, then the Prince and Princess of Wales, also flew on Concorde during a trip to Omar and Pakistan.
“Elizabeth amassed momentos during what must have been a very fulfilling career. Her memorabilia captures the life and times of Concorde at its height and the detail that went into luxury travel with British Airways. No VIP wish was too small to be accommodated. Even smoking was permitted on board back then."