ELIZABETH II – Autograph letter signed to her midwife, Helen Rowe.

ELIZABETH II (1926-)

Autographed letter signed to his midwife, Sister Helen Rowe.

Four octavo pages on Buckingham Palace letterhead.

Autographed envelope, stamped and postmarked. (London) December 20, 1956.

A very beautiful and intimate letter from the Queen evoking the sudden death of Sir William Gilliatt, and then her first two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne

“Dear Rowie, I do apologize for never having answered your very kind letter. It got lost in my dispatch box and I have only just found it again while packing for another move. It was good of you to write, and Sir William's death was a terrible shock to us all. Though you knew him far better than I did, he gave one such tremendous confidence in him and such understanding and I suppose I knew him in a different way from you, too. So many people will miss him terribly and he was a wonderful man. I like to think that he died after spending an afternoon doing what he loved so much – going racing. I am sorry there has not been a chance to see you in London before Christmas but do please let Bobo or me know when you are next in our vicinity – we should love to see you again, but they are growing up so fast that she could not manage them and the schoolroom has really taken first place instead of the nursery. excellent I hope you are well and I've no. doubt very busy with more and more new babies. With every good wish for Christmas and the new year. Yours, very sincerely. Elizabeth.”

Translation : "Dear Rowie, Please excuse me for never having replied to your very kind letter. It got lost in my briefcase and I only just found it while packing for another trip. It was kind of you to write, and Sir William's death was a terrible shock to us all. Although you knew him much better than I did, he inspired such trust and understanding; I suppose I knew him in a different way than you did. He will be terribly missed by so many people, and he was a wonderful man. I like to think he died after spending an afternoon doing what he loved so much: motor racing. I am sorry I didn't have the chance to see you in London before Christmas, but please let Bobo or me know when you are in our area—we would love to see you again." Nana has now left the children, which was difficult, but they grow up so fast that she couldn't manage them, and school really took the place of daycare. However, we still have Mabel, thank goodness, who is excellent. I hope you are well and, I have no doubt, very busy with more and more new babies. With all my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Yours very sincerely, Elizabeth.

Sir William Gilliatt (1884-1956), whose death is mentioned here by the Queen, was a gynecologist who practiced at Middlesex College Hospital in London. A gynecologist to the Royal Household for many years, he assisted Elizabeth II during the births of Prince Charles in 1948 and Princess Anne in 1950. Knighted in 1948, he was also elected President of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1954. He died suddenly in a car accident on September 27, 1956.

We are attaching a black and white silver gelatin photograph of Helen Rowe full-length (18.80 x 24 cm format).