Lord Nelson’s last words revealed in love letter to mistress set to fetch £15,000

A passionate love letter from Lord Horatio Nelson to his mistress is set to fetch a staggering £15,000 when it goes up for auction in March.

The British Flag Officer in the Royal Navy wrote the letter while on board the HMS Victory in May 1805.

Shortly after penning the note to Lady Hamilton – that has never been published before – Lord Nelson was killed while fighting in the Battle of Trafalgar, at the age of 47.

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He wrote: “My Dearest Emma, we are hard at work victualling the fleet.

“May God be propitious to my wishes and send me a Victor to my dear dear dear Emma then and not till then can I be happy.”

Referring to their only child, aged four, Lord Nelson added: “Kiss my dear Horatia for me.”

Lady Hamilton, an actress, met the naval commander in 1793 and she died in 1815, aged 49.

The historic letter was written with Nelson’s left hand after he lost his right during a naval battle in 1797.

Auctioneer Nigel Kirk said: “This letter is even more desirable than others by Nelson because it has never been published. It is worth up to £15,000.

“The late owner and his wife read all they could about him.”

The letter will be auctioned by Mellors and Kirk in Nottingham, along with other Nelson artefacts.

Top pic: Rex