Elizabeth II Handwritten 1952 Letter on Father's Death

A touching and personal handwritten letter from Queen Elizabeth II dated April 5, 1952 to “Miss Woggs” to thank her for a letter of sympathy after the death of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth’s father.

Queen Elizabeth ascended to the British throne on the death of her father, George VI, on February 6, 1952. George was just 56 years old.

Miss Woggs is Ethel Taylor, the housekeeper of Lord Hothfield. She walked Lord Hothfield’s dog Woggles in Hamilton Gardens (adjoining Hyde Park), and regularly encountered the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret (with their nannies) while doing so. The Princesses lived at nearby 145 Piccadilly between 1926 and 1936.

The Princesses gave her the nickname "Miss Woggs".

In the letter Queen Elizabeth writes: “It has been a source of great comfort to us to know that so many people have been sharing our sorrow, and to realise the volume of affection from all over the world for the King.”