London, December 6 (ANI): The Queen has intervened to put a stop on the auction of letters penned by her mother after learning her cousin was putting royal memorabilia up for sale.

The intimate notes were among other highly personal items that 68-year-old Lady Elizabeth Anson, the Queen Mother’s niece and Queen’s first cousin, was apparently hoping to put under the hammer in Paris.

Auctioneers Coutau Begarie were prohibited from placing the notes under the hammer following orders from Buckingham Palace.

“Instead they were removed at the 11th hour, causing the auctioneers a great deal of embarrassment and leaving many potential buyers unhappy,” the Daily Express quoted a source as saying.

“The items included intimate notes written by the Queen Mother, as well as many other personal items. The seller was convinced there was no problem but the Queen and her staff clearly thought otherwise.

“We were told the items had to be removed from sale on the express orders of the Palace,” the source added.

A spokesman for Coutau Begarie said: “We can confirm that the numerous lots withdrawn will not be sold in future. They have been withdrawn from sale permanently.” (ANI)