A collection of memorabilia belonging to a British Airways Concorde flight attendant is going under the hammer, offering a fascinating glimpse into the in-flight preferences of Queen Elizabeth II and other VIP passengers. The items, which will be auctioned by Hansons Auctioneers in the UK, belonged to Elizabeth Evans, who served on the Concorde for 28 years.
Among the items is a certificate honouring Evans' service on a 1989 flight to Singapore, where the Queen and Prince Philip travelled. This flight, taken aboard a British Airways Concorde, included confidential instructions on how to cater to the royal couple's needs. These instructions reveal that Queen Elizabeth preferred a bowl of Velamints, a sugar-free mint, in her dressing room, and a Martini before her guests arrived.
The auction house owner, Charles Hanson, highlighted the meticulous care taken for the Queen's comfort. "The instructions also stated she 'tends to like a Martini before her guests arrive,'" he said. "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."
The collection also features a special tri-fold menu for King Charles III and Princess Diana, following their 1981 wedding, along with other menus signed by celebrities such as Warren Beatty, Cliff Richard, Virginia Wade, and Billie Jean King.
After Evans passed away in 2017, the collection was inherited by her niece, Jo Smallwood, a retired police officer. Smallwood expressed her desire to share these historical items with the public, stating, "I believe this collection is a little piece of history that should be shared and enjoyed by somebody."
The auction provides a unique window into the world of air travel for the royal family and other prominent figures, offering a glimpse into the specific preferences and protocols that surrounded their journeys. The collection is sure to attract the interest of aviation enthusiasts and royal watchers alike, offering a chance to own a piece of history associated with the iconic Concorde and the enduring legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
