Royal Christmas and New Year's card from 1982, with the front embossed with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 14 x 6 open, featuring an affixed color photo of the royal couple posing with an infant Prince William, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “John, from, Charles and" and "Diana." In very fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed to John Hitchings (1929-2020), who was King Charles’s Land Agent for the Duchy of Cornwall.
The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate that was established in 1337 and which funds the public, charitable, and private activities of the Prince of Wales and his family. The Land Steward is the public face of the Duchy and is responsible for all aspects of Duchy property and land management.
John Hitchings first became a Land Steward for the Duchy of Cornwall in 1959. At that time, King Charles, then Prince of Wales, was still a minor and Hitchings initially worked for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip who temporarily represented the Duchy. Hitchings established a Central District office that managed over 75,000 acres, including large areas of Dartmoor and the South West Foreshore. During his time at the Duchy, he and his wife Christina attended the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana and he managed many Royal visits. King Charles was described as being very ‘hands-on’ and involved in the running of the Duchy and Hitchings had regular contact over the years. For his service, he was awarded ‘Member of The Victorian Order’ (MVO) & then ‘Lieutenant of The Victorian Order’ (LVO).'
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