Third-person TLS from Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Elizabeth II prior to her accession to the throne on February 6, 1952, one page, 7.5 x 9.5, written on Queen Elizabeth’s embossed personal stationery. The letter, in full: “In 1937 His late Majesty was advised to make this Declaration omitting the words ‘of my Realm’ on the ground that they did not take account of the independent status of the Dominions which had been affirmed by the Statue of Westminster. Mr. Churchill considers that on the present occasion Your Majesty would do well to follow the precedent established by King George VI. Mr. Churchill feels that Your Majesty will Yourself wish to decide to use the title ‘Elizabeth’ or ‘Elizabeth the Second’ in the opening words of the Declaration.” Signed boldly at the conclusion by the prime minister, “And with humble duty remains, Yr Majesty’s faithful & devoted servant, Winston S. Churchill.” In very good to fine condition, with a few light stains, a single file hole, and a paperclip impression to the left edge.
Queen Elizabeth II has long served as Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, ‘the faith being the Protestant religion, a role enjoyed by British Monarchs since Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church so that he could divorce Catherine of Aragon. One of the Queen’s prerogatives is to appoint archbishops and bishops, but only the ‘advice’ of the Prime Minister, who, in turn, seeks guidance from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.’ At her first State Opening of Parliament in 1952, she made her public declaration of faith by choosing to start her speech with ‘I, Elizabeth the Second.’ A historic message of counsel from Churchill to the new Queen of the United Kingdom.
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