H.R.H. Princess Mary, The Princess Royal. A christmas card of 1954

The 8 x 6½ ins Christmas card displays the crowned M embossed in gilt  and inside has a hand written dedication To Dear Mrs Strutt on the left side, facing a formal portrait of the Princess, 6 x 3 ins, signed beneath Mary. In the portrait the princess wears the dress and jewels she wore for the 1953 coronation and the insignia of Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order with her four Family Orders of Edward VII, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. This formal portrait is unusual for her Christmas cards which usually have much less formal images of herself with her family or in various roles of public service. feb11/2