Featured Image Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images/Denise Chan/Flickr
Topics: Royal Family, Australia, The Queen
Jess Hardiman
Topics: Royal Family, Australia, The Queen
The Queen may have passed away almost two years ago, but her legacy lives on in a number of ways – including, excitingly, a secret letter that can’t be opened for another six decades.
The letter itself is housed inside a glass case in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney’s Central Business District, which first opened back in 1898 in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
In 1959, it was almost demolished to make way for a parkland and civic square, with parking and shopping beneath.
However, it was later restored by a Malaysian company called Ipoh Ltd in 1984, reopening its doors to the public in 1986.
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Following a $48 million refurbishment in 2008, these days, the Queen Victoria Building is a ‘grand, contemporary shopping and dining experience’ spread across five levels.
But one of the most unique draws is, of course, Lizzie’s letter - the contents of which remain totally unknown.
Not even her personal staff knew what was written inside, with strict instructions to only be opened in 2085, which is still 61 years away.
It’s even sat inside a glass case in a restricted dome area of the Queen Victoria Building, meaning it’s not like anyone can take a cheeky look before then.
Elizabeth wrote the note in 1986, addressing it to the 'Right and Honourable Lord Mayor of Sydney, Australia'.
Only her instructions are visible: “On a suitable day to be selected by you in the year 2085 A.D, would you please open this envelope and convey to the citizens of Sydney my message to them.”
For now, however, the contents of the mysterious letter remain a secret, as we’ll sadly have to wait more than 60 years before it’s allowed to be opened.
The note was also signed ‘Elizabeth R’ which is how she used to sign official documents and letters.
The ‘R’ stands for ‘regina’, the Latin word for Queen, and is actually a letter King Charles uses himself since becoming monarch.
Obviously, Charles isn’t a queen, but his ‘R’ actually stands for ‘rex’... Yep, you’ve guessed it, Latin for ‘king’.
As explained by the Press Association back in September 2022 when Charles officially took the throne: “Before it was simply 'Charles'. Now it will be the name he has taken as King with an additional R for Rex – Latin for King – at the end.
“In criminal court cases, the R to denote the Crown now stands for Rex rather Regina (the Queen).”