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WEA - Bernard Weatherill Papers
- PP - Political papers: Parliamentary papers

Ref No	WEA/PP/R
Collection	Bernard Weatherill Papers
Title	Vice-Chamberlain of the Royal Household - 'Royal Telegrams'
Date	September 1971-November 1973
Extent	125 files
Description	While in the Conservative Whips Office the Conservative Party were in Government from June 1970 to February 1974 and Weatherill held various posts in the Royal Household. One of these was as Vice-Chamberlain, a post which he held from October 1971 to April 1973. The duties of the post holder included writing a daily letter of about 500 words to the Queen, giving her an account of the proceedings in the House of Commons. The letter is delivered by despatch rider in the early evening to Buckingham Palace or telegraphed direct from the House of Commons when she is at any of the other royal residences. This account was for the monarch's eyes only but Weatherill kept carbon copies usually of his hand written draft, which survive for the period November 1971 to October 1972. There are also a few copies for 1973, when presumably Weatherill performed this duty for an absent colleague.
Notes	Previous reference number: WEA/PP R
Subject	Parliamentary debates
PhysicalDescription	125 files
Arrangement	Weatherill writes the royal telegrams in a style that is informal, though respectful making them readable and even entertaining. He makes summaries of the main speeches, describes how they are received by other members of the House and with touches of irony evaluates the speakers.
Related Person	Elizabeth II (1926-) Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Related Organisation	Conservative Party Whips Office
	Royal Household
	Conservative Party
Access conditions	This material is available for consultation at the University of Kent's Special Collections & Archives reading room, Templeman Library, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NU (specialcollections@kent.ac.uk).
Copyright	Material within the archive may remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Special Collections & Archives staff will assist where possible in helping trace copyright holders, but it is ultimately the responsibility of users to obtain the permission of the copyright holder for reproduction of copyright material for uses other than research or private study.
Level	SubSeries

Record