Backstairs Billy’s royal family snaps go up for auction

A horde of royal memorabilia assembled by William Tallon, who was the Queen Mother's page and steward for more than 50 years, will be sold at auction in Colchester, Essex, on Saturday. Known as "Backstairs Billy", Tallon was an avid collector, and the sale is expected to make more than £500,000.

Among the highlights of the 700 lots is a photograph of a luncheon party held by his employer on her 95th birthday in the gardens of her official London residence, Clarence House. The photo (pictured), which was taken by an unseen member of the party, shows the Prince of Wales, Princess Margaret, Prince William and others enjoying a leisurely meal with a number of courtiers. Tallon, with his trademark bouffant hair, can be seen hovering in the background.

Also up for sale is a handwritten note from the Queen Mother stating: "I think I will take two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed." A two-page letter from Princess Diana written on the first day of her honeymoon, thanking Tallon for filling her Clarence House room with flowers, is expected to fetch between £1,000 and £1,500.

Tallon, who died last year aged 72, was the son of a Coventry shopkeeper. He built up his collection with the assistance of his long-term partner, Reg Wilcock. The Queen Mother thoroughly approved of the fact that he was gay: she felt homosexuals made better servants.