London, February 8 : Prince Charles was dubbed a "gruesome child" in a letter from the Queen's cousin.

Princess Alexandra, who inked the pages addressed to her brother Prince Edward in 1952, when Charles was four, said the little royal then enjoyed watching her have a painful blister lanced.

"So this morning Dr Middleton came and pierced it! Ho Ho. Charles was fascinated and insisted on watching. Gruesome child don't you think?", the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

The letter, that formed a part of a private collection for the last 25 years, is set to go under the hammer on February 13 and is expected to cost bidders 400 pounds.

Auctioneer Richard Davie said: "It is a rare letter with good references to the Royal Family."