Royal Secrets Unveiled in Historic Coronation Scrapbook at Solihull Hospice Superstore
A remarkable 73-year-old Coronation Scrapbook, offering a unique glimpse into royal life from over seven decades ago, has become an unexpected highlight at the newly opened Birmingham Hospice superstore in Mell Square, Solihull. This handmade souvenir, compiled by Avril Smith of Streetly, Staffordshire, captures intimate moments and historical events surrounding the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, though intriguingly omits the ceremony itself.
Fascinating Royal Insights and Historical Moments
The scrapbook includes a poignant image of Queen Mary's coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall, with a tribute from 'Lilibet and Philip' noted below. Queen Mary passed away on March 24, 1953, just ten weeks before her granddaughter's coronation. Other pages feature Princess Elizabeth, then 17, performing in a Windsor pantomime with her sister Princess Margaret, and later as a wartime A.T.S. driver learning to tune an engine. A lighter moment shows a three-year-old Princess Elizabeth pushing her first pram in Piccadilly, alongside a photo with Princess Margaret on a rocking horse.
Notably, the scrapbook documents Princess Elizabeth comforting a Corgi named 'Dookie' after a dog fight and having an encounter with bashful penguins at a zoo. It also celebrates the fifth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's marriage, with Prince Philip humorously attributing their happy union to 'common sense'.
Unexpected Connections and Wartime Context
One intriguing report from the Daily Mirror highlights HM submarine Andrew's record-breaking 3,236-mile underwater Atlantic crossing, suggesting a possible namesake for the future Prince Andrew. The crew maintained radio contact throughout, listening to Coronation accounts and Everest conquest updates. Additionally, the scrapbook juxtaposes royal events with stark wartime news, such as UN bombings in Korea, offering a broader historical perspective.
Advertisements from the era, like Oxydol for 'vivid white' washes and Eugene shampoo for 'smooth and silky' hair, add a nostalgic touch. The cover faintly bears the handwritten name 'Avril Smith', presumed to be the compiler, adding a personal element to this historical artifact.
Birmingham Hospice's Expansion and Community Impact
The Birmingham Hospice superstore in Mell Square marks the charity's third large-scale retail location, following Aldridge and Harborne, as part of an ambitious expansion to support hospices in Selly Park and Erdington. With numerous other shops across the region, the charity relies on donor and shopper generosity to provide end-of-life care for local residents. This unique scrapbook, priced for sale, not only offers a piece of royal history but also contributes to vital community services, highlighting the intersection of heritage and philanthropy in Solihull.
