Pattie Boyd Reveals George Harrison and Eric Clapton’s ‘Love Triangle’ Letters

Model Pattie Boyd is selling letters revealing her notorious love triangle with guitarist Eric Clapton and Beatles star George Harrison.

Boyd was a muse for both men in the 1960s and ’70s, inspiring Harrison’s classic song Something and Clapton’s hits Wonderful Tonight and Layla.

Initially married to the Beatle, her close friend Clapton pursued her in a series of passionate love letters.

He is now auctioning off notes from both men, along with other possessions.

Boyd met the Beatles when she was cast in their 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night and instantly felt a connection with Harrison, their famous “quiet” guitarist.

“He was quite shy, like me. I think that’s why we got along well,” she said in an interview posted on the Christie’s auction house website.

They dated for two years before marrying in January 1966, during which time the Beatles were often on tour.

“George was so adorable when he was away,” she said. “He missed me and I missed him terribly, and he wrote wonderful letters and wonderful postcards.”

In a note from the auction, Harrison writes: “I hope you are well. I miss you. I’m starving; lots of grilled cheese sandwiches. I love you.”

Clapton was a frequent guest at the couple’s Surrey home but, unbeknownst to Harrison, harbored feelings for Boyd.

In 1970, he sent her a letter in angular, impeccably neat handwriting. “I am writing this letter to you, with the main objective of knowing his feelings towards a topic well known to both of us,” he began.

“What I want to ask you is if you still love your husband.” he continued. “All these questions are very impertinent, I know, but if there is still a feeling in your heart for me… you must let me know!”

“Don’t call! Send a letter… That’s much safer.”

Boyd initially thought the letter was from a fan, but only realized the truth when Clapton called her later that day.

Several months later a second letter was written, on a page that Clapton had torn out of a copy of John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men.

“Dear Layla,” Clapton began, using his nickname for Boyd. “Why do you doubt? Am I a poor lover? Am I ugly? Am I too weak or too strong? Do you know why?”

“If you want me, take me, I am yours… if you don’t want me, please break the spell that binds me. Caging a wild animal is a sin, taming it is divine. My love is yours.”

He later wrote the rock standard Lalya for Boyd.

“It was so beautiful and so magical,” Boyd recalled. “I was very flattered, but also very worried that George would find out why Eric had written this song.”

Boyd originally rejected Clapton’s advances but, after their marriage failed in the early 1970s, the musician invited Boyd to join him on tour.

Their romance blossomed and they married in 1979, with the blessing of Harrison, who began calling Clapton her “husband-in-law.”

However, Clapton’s alcoholism and infidelity ultimately undermined the marriage and they divorced in 1989.

Boyd, the daughter of a retired RAF bomber pilot, was a famous model in the 1960s before turning to photography.

Next month she will sell her memorabilia, including letters, paintings, photographs, jewelry and fashion.

Among the lots is a doodle by Harrison, in which he draws himself sitting under an apple tree, and a Christmas card he made him in 1968.

“I’ve had them all for too many years, too long,” said Boyd, who will turn 80 this year. he told The Telegraph. “I thought, why don’t I sell everything and let everyone else enjoy it?”

The sale will be headlined by Schomberg’s painting La jeune fille au bouquet by Emile Théodore Frandsen, which served as the cover for the 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Clapton band Derek and the Dominoes.

Clapton had originally purchased the painting from the artist’s son because the model’s blonde hair and seductive almond eyes reminded him of Boyd. It is expected to sell for between £40,000 and £60,000.

Boyd told the Telegraph that he sought Clapton’s permission before selling the possessions.

“He asked me if I was selling Layla’s painting and I said yes,” he said. “He said, ‘Maybe there are other things you can sell too.’ So he’s absolutely fine with me auctioning everything off.”