Dame Patricia Routledge, best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, is the subject of a forthcoming auction of her estate. Among the items are private letters from King Charles, former Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd, and former Prime Minister Theresa May. The auction, held by Stride & Son Auctioneers and Valuers in Chichester, starts on July 29.
Letters from the King
King Charles, who awarded Routledge a damehood in 2017, wrote to her in 2004 to congratulate her on receiving a CBE. In a typed letter on Clarence House notepaper, he said: "I was delighted to hear the splendid news of your Honour, and wanted to send you my warmest possible congratulations." The letter was signed "Charles, The Prince of Wales. 12th June 2004."
Correspondence with Betty Boothroyd
The most revealing letters are those exchanged with Baroness Betty Boothroyd, who died in 2023. Written between 1998 and 2014, they show a shared love of politics. Boothroyd joked about dreary days in Parliament and the security at St James's Palace, where Routledge was well known to the then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (Prince William and Catherine).
In a 2014 letter, Boothroyd wrote: "My dear Patricia. I guess security services don't bother to frisk you - you are so well known at the grand addresses of St James'. The Cornwalls must get withdrawal symptoms if they don't see you for a week or two!" She also joked about her health and landlord, the Duke of Westminster, noting: "I've taken on a personal trainer for one hour a week (expensive rubbish)... The arthritis seems to have moved down the legs to the hands, hence this terrible scribble."
In an earlier letter from 1998, Boothroyd referenced reports of her paragliding in Paphos, Greece: "Here we all are back at the treadmill this grey Monday morning, with news of 'insider dealings' surrounding Number 10 and the antics of that speaker woman paragliding over Paphos!"
Letter from Theresa May
Former Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to Routledge in September 2019, confiding her fears about Brexit. On House of Commons notepaper, May said: "Thank you so much for your card and kind words... We live in uncertain political times. I do hope it will be possible to get a deal that Parliament can agree to, so we can leave the EU with a deal."
Other Items and Auction Details
The three-day auction includes books inscribed by Alan Bennett, a musical score inscribed by Leonard Bernstein, signed photographs, scripts, press cuttings, playbills, jewellery, and clothing. Proceeds will be split between charities. A spokesman for Stride & Son Auctions said: "We are anticipating a lot of international interest. In addition to being a national treasure, she was also tremendously popular and well respected overseas."
Routledge, who died in October 2025 at age 96, never married and had no children. She played Hyacinth Bucket for five years from 1990, leaving the role to pursue other projects such as Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. She won an Olivier Award and a Tony Award during her career.
