Rare photo of Queen and Princess Margaret starring in royal panto goes up for auction

Unlikely panto stars Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret took to the stage in December 1944 (Picture: BNPS / Getty Images)

A rare photograph of the Queen and Princess Margaret starring in a royal pantomime at Windsor Castle is up for sale.

The snap dates from December 1944, when the sisters starred in the am-dram production ‘Old Mother Red Riding Boots’.

Princess Elizabeth, 18, played Lady Christina Sherwood while Margaret, 14, starred as the Honourable Lucinda Fairfax in the festive extravaganza which was put on to lift spirits during the war.

The show was a combination of several different fairytales and was performed over three days to as many as 600 people.

The eight by 12 inch black and white photo shows the sisters surrounded by dozens of other performers from the Windsor Castle community and the Royal Windsor School.

The large ensemble cast is huddled on stage while the Royal Horse Guards orchestra, which provided the music for the festive production, are lined up at the front.

The rare snap is going under the hammer with a list price of £1,500 alongside a panto programme, which lists the royal sisters as cast members, and a ticket for the show.

The items belonged to Stanley Williams, who was superintendent of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace and is listed as the panto ‘manager’ in the show programme.

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret can be seen in the centre of the stage (Picture: William George / BNPS)

Dressed to impress – Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret during ‘Old Mother Red Riding Boots’ (Getty Images/ Hulton Royals Collection)

The historic items have been in his family since the 1940s but now they are selling them with auctioneers William George, of Peterborough.

A William George spokesperson said: ‘Stanley Williams was a long-standing royal servant and was superintendent of Windsor Castle and later Buckingham Palace prior to his retirement.

‘The lot comes from the family as they want to ensure it stays in the hands of someone who appreciates this group of items’ historical importance.

‘Old Mother Red Riding Boots was an opportunity for Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret to provide some wartime entertainment to the Armed Forces and the Children of Windsor.

‘Needless to say, the royal family and staff at Windsor Castle worked very hard to provide some light entertainment for the audience at a time when this was in short supply.’

The auction will take place on January 6.

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