London  - Letters from Princess Diana and a note from the Queen Mother asking for a bottle of gin were among 700 objects auctioned for more than half-a-million pounds (991,000 dollars) on Saturday.

The royal letters, photographs and artefacts belonged to former butler William Tallon, known as Backstairs Billy, who died in November 2007, aged 72, after serving the Royal Family for more than 50 years.

Tallon kept all the correspondence he received from the royals, including a hand-written note in which the Queen Mother asked her aide to pack gin and Dubonnet.

"I think that I will take two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed," said the note, which was sold for 16,000 pounds - five times the original estimate.

A letter from Princess Diana after the birth of her first child, Prince William, went for 5,000 pounds to a telephone bidder

The unique collection sold at the auction room of Reeman Dansie in Colchester, northeast of London, was kept secret by Tallon, who joined the royal household aged 15.

The royal servant kept every thank-you letter, Christmas card and invitation he received, but never spoke publicly about the royals, and turned down requests to write a book or be interviewed.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the auction, some of the proceeds from which were earmarked for charity. (dpa)