Queen Mother's note requesting Dubonnet and gin fetches £16,000

The note was the star attraction at a sale of Royal memorabilia belonging to the Queen Mother's favourite page William 'Backstairs Billy' Tallon, which raised nearly £450,000.

The letter, from the Queen Mother to Mr Tallon, said: 'I think that I will take 2 small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed. It is a beautiful day, could we have lunch under the tree - one could have 14 at the table and four at a small table.'

William Tallon (right) with Prince Charles and the Queen Mother

The 400 people at the auction in Colchester, Essex - including several from the US and Canada - gasped when bidding began at £1,100. The letter was expected to sell for £300. It was bought by an anonymous telephone bidder, who claimed to be standing outside Buckingham Palace.

This letter, from the estate of William Tallon, went for £16,000 at the auction

The top-priced individual item was a 1945 portrait of the Queen Mother by Sir James Gunn, which sold for £30,000.

Mr Tallon died seven months ago, aged 72, after giving 52 years of loyal service. His collection also included photographs, paintings and ornaments and had been carefully stored in his one-bedroom grace and favour apartment.

Eight letters written by Diana, Princess of Wales, sold for £20,000. In one - a handwritten note dated June 28, 1982, she thanked Mr Tallon for the gifts he sent after the birth of Prince William.

It read: 'We are not sure at the moment what has hit us, except a very strong pair of lungs! Both parents are making little sense, we just seem to spend most of our time gazing at this tiny person. Everyone has been so terribly kind to us, swamping KP with glorious flowers and loving messages.'

The letter fetched £5,000.

Another, from July 30, 1981, the day after her wedding to Prince Charles, thanking Billy for filling her room at Clarence House with flowers before her 'Great Day', went for £4,200.

Less popular were notes and cards written by Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. A Christmas card from them made just £360.

'I was desperate to get something of Diana's,' said Diane Lott, 65, from Hockley, Essex, who paid £540 for a Christmas card inscribed 'William from Charles and Diana' and showing Charles standing beside Diana and Prince William on a swing.

The three beneficiaries of the will are to be announced in two weeks.