Childhood drawings by King Charles III are hitting the auction block in England this week.  

The illustrations will be offered as part of a selection of “extraordinary royal memorabilia” at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire on June 16. Among the group are crayon portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, labeled “Mummy” and “Papa.”

The two drawings were done around 1953-55, when King Charles was just five or six years old. Sold as a single lot, they carry a presale estimate of £5,000 to £10,000 ($6,300 to $12,700). 

Another sketch, completed around the same time, depicts a sailor filling a glass of “hair restorer” from an urn. A note on the back, dated March 25, 1954, reads: “Dear Papa, I am longing to see you in the ship, Love from Charles.” Its own estimate comes in at £3,000 to £4,000 ($3,800 to $5,100). 

King Charles III’s childhood drawings of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Courtesy of Hansons Auctioneers.

“Given a crayon and pencil, nearly every child’s first drawings depict their family,” said Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, in a statement. “Our king was no different. This collection will help people relate to him even more in his role as our monarch.” 

Other early illustrations from the now 74-year-old monarch include pictures of a pair of carmine bee-eater birds, which are jointly estimated to sell for £2,000 to £4,000 ($2,500 to $5,100); a Harrod’s-style delivery van labeled “Happybright, Mr Charles’s Shop,” which is expected to fetch £2,000 to £3,000 ($2,500 to $3,800); and an Easter card with a bunny, projected to go for £1,000 to £2,000 ($1,200 to $2,500). 

The illustrations will be offered alongside other royal relics, including letters, Christmas cards, and several sets of candid photographs featuring King Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Margaret, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth.  

“This is an extraordinarily touching collection,” Hanson said. “These poignant childhood drawings and emotive photos remind us that away from the pomp, pageantry, and demands of serving the nation, our royals treasure the ordinary, everyday moments of family life.” 

Photographs of the Royal Family circa 1957-61. Courtesy of Hansons Auctioneers.

The pieces of memorabilia were collected by Henry Ramsay Maule, a former royal correspondent who authored the book All the Queen’s Children about Queen Elizabeth. Maule was also in the process of writing a biography of Prince Philip when he died in 1981. The materials he amassed for those and other projects were subsequently passed down to his family. 

“The items were given to Henry Maule to support his work in documenting the life of the royal family, which included writing All the Queen’s Children. They have remained tucked away for more than 30 years since his death in 1981,” Hanson explained. “The time has now come for others to enjoy them and gain fresh insight into the lives of the British Royal Family.” 

Also on offer at Hanson’s sale this week is an older selection of personal correspondence from Queen Charlotte, King George III, and King William IV, among other royals. They are being consigned by the heirs of Sir Herbert Taylor, Britain’s first private secretary to a sovereign. 

A childhood sketch by King Charles III. Courtesy of Hansons Auctioneers.