Colonel-in-Chief

It been in wild territory today, that is to say, out of Suffolk! I’ve had to venture to Norfolk to collect an item that I was fortunate enough to win at an auction last week.

The item was an official portrait of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Colonel-in-Chief of the Suffolk Regiment. Whilst I know of other official portraits from her time as Honorary Colonel of the East Anglian and Royal Anglian Regiments, I have not yet, seen an officially presented photograph of the Colonel-in-Chief, which carries labelling as such.

Upon closer inspection, the photographer ‘Cecil Beaton’ is written in capitals on the lower edge of the frame. Beaton was a noted photographer of royalty and socialites of the time and further research reveals that it was originally taken at Clarence House in 1956 for publication in September that year. This means that it post-dates her visit to the Depot in 1954 to meet the Old Comrades Association and also her visit to Germany in 1955 to present new Colours to the 1st Battalion. My best guess at present is that this was a presentation piece to the Regiment following her visit to the 1st Battalion at Roman Way Camp, Colchester in 1956, prior to their departing for service on Cyprus. The original is in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection, but I’m sure if I’m more chuffed to own an original ‘Cecil Beaton’ photograph or an original Suffolk ‘Colonel-in-Chief’ portrait? Either way it needs a nice new frame!