United Kingdom. A Royal Photo Album of Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family Accompanied by Ephemera, c. 1957

A Royal photograph album formerly belonging to The Queen’s head Chauffeur, Mr. William Chivers, containing photographs of the Royal Family in formal and informal scenarios. The front and rear covers of the album are constructed of a cardstock core with a light blue faux leather (leatherette) exterior. The covers depict a pattern of broadened dual fleur-de-lis in gilt with a raised applique in bakelite reading “Photo Album” in gilt lettering. The album contains countless fabolous pictures of Queen Elizabeth interacting with Her Royal Subject while being accomanied by the extended Royal Family, including Prince Philip, The Queen Mother, and Prince (His Majesty the King) Charles. The album also depicts the Royal Family in a more playful light with many photographs of members of the Royal Family smiling and laughing. The album spans over ten pages and is completely filled with multiple photographs per page, and is accompanied by seven more large photographs loosely in the album, along with newspaper clippings, Christmas cards, including one dated 1957 depicting Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth with the Royal Children, signed by both in ink, measuring 197 mm (w) x 234 mm (l). The album measures 245 mm (w) x 290 mm (l), and is in extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: Mr. William Chivers joined The Royal Household after the Second World War having been a professional Chauffeur prior. He became Head Chaffeur to His Majesty King VI. on the retirement of the previous Head Chaffeur, and continued in that role for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth after the King’s death in 1952 until the late 1970’s.