Pattie Boyd, a muse to both guitarist Eric Clapton and Beatles star George Harrison in the 1960s and 70s, is set to auction off a collection of letters that shed light on her famous love triangle, a BBC report says.
Boyd's influence inspired Harrison's classic song 'Something' and Clapton's hits 'Wonderful Tonight' and 'Layla'. The letters, along with other personal items, will be auctioned at Christie's in London next month, with public viewings from March 15 to 21.
Boyd met the Beatles during their 1964 film 'A Hard Day's Night' and felt an instant connection with Harrison, known as the band's "quiet" guitarist.
After dating for two years, Boyd and Harrison married in January 1966. Despite the distance when the Beatles were on tour, Harrison would write her heartfelt letters and postcards expressing his affection.
Clapton, a close friend of Harrison's, harbored romantic feelings for Boyd. In 1970, he penned a letter to Boyd, questioning her feelings towards her husband. Boyd initially mistook the letter as fan mail until Clapton revealed the truth over the phone.
Despite initially rejecting Clapton's advances, Boyd's marriage to Harrison faced challenges, leading her to join Clapton on tour. They married in 1979, but Clapton's struggles with alcoholism and infidelity led to their divorce in 1989.
Boyd, who turns 80 this year, decided to sell her memorabilia, including letters, paintings, photographs, jewelry, and fashion items, to allow others to enjoy them. The auction will feature a doodle by Harrison and a Christmas card he made for her in 1968, among other items.
The auction will be highlighted by the painting 'La jeune fille au bouquet' by Emile Théodore Frandsen de Schomberg, which graced the cover of Clapton's band Derek and the Dominoes' 1970 album 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs'. Clapton had purchased the painting because the model's features reminded him of Boyd. It is expected to fetch between £40,000 and £60,000 (NZD$82,000 and NZD$123,000).
Boyd mentioned that she sought Clapton's permission before selling the possessions and that he was supportive of the decision.
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