An archive of 167 letters from princes Edward VIII and George VI to Admiral William Campbell Tait is to auction in Guernsey with a valuation of £35,000-45,000 ($56,666-72,857).

The collection, which dates to the early 1900s, will cross the block at Martel Maides Auctions on October 2.

The collection also includes Christmas cards, photographs and a watercolour by Edward

Tait served as a mentor and friend to the princes while they were growing up, with the result that the letters offer a fascinating insight into the young royals' views on the issues of the time - particularly the first world war.

In one, Edward writes of his frustration at not being permitted to join the army. "It is all too big and too ghastly to comprehend this general European war, to think that little over a fortnight ago I was with you," he says.

"Oh God!! How I envy you all on active service, ready to deliver to those bloody Germans what I am confident will be their death blow!!

"While you are all out undergoing hardship and risking your lives, here I am left at home with the women."

James Bridges of Martel Maides told the BBC: "They are a pretty unique archive from perhaps the two most important princes in the Royal family in the first half of the 20th century".

"It would be tragic if they were split up. One hopes they would be bought by a private collector or a museum or perhaps even by the Royal Collection."

A collection of photographs taken by Edward on a visit to the Western Front will auction at Bonhams later today.

Edward would later abdicate to marry Wallis Simpson.

We have this signed letter she sent from her honeymoon.

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