WILLIAM LYON MACKENZIE KING
10th Prime minister of Canada
“In all probability with the Duke and Duchess of York as King and Queen, and with the little Princess Elizabeth in the picture, there will be a much happier situation in the new year than there has been at any time since the time of (King) George V.”
King, in the United Kingdom for the Coronation of King George VI, Her Majesty’s father, had many encounters with Princess Elizabeth, then aged 11. He described May 11, 1937, in great detail in his private diary.
“As we (King George VI and Mackenzie King) were finishing luncheon, the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose came into the room (at Buckingham Palace) and went around the table shaking hands with everyone present. When they had gone completely around, they came back to the King’s chair. Having greeted them very informally at the start, I later rose and shook hands with them a second time. They were waring a pale blue frock with pink flowers in it, short sleeves and bare legs. Very simply and sweetly dressed. When they came to the King’s chair, the servants brought two chairs and put one on either side of the King, and I made room for little Margaret Rose to sit between the King and myself where she could see the Queen from the opposite side of the table ... When the children were there, we had many pleasant exchanges across the table. I asked little Margaret about her ponies and she said they were at Windsor ... The King seemed extremely happy with his children on either side.”
Diary entry, June 4, 1937, on seeking the autographs of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret
“Walked home from the meeting (of Commonwealth and Empire leaders) through St. James’s Park and Green Park. Just opposite the Palace, I met (an assistant to the King and Queen) who was on the way to his club for lunch. I asked him if he thought I could secure the autographs of the little Princesses to (a) photograph). He told me he was sure the Queen arrange this for me ... It was a great stroke of luck of meeting him just as I did.”
A week later, King receives his signed photo of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, diary entry while still in London, June 12, 1937
“I opened a large package and found it contained a photograph of the Princesses, autographed by themselves with a note saying it was the picture of the Princesses which the Queen wished me to have. It is the most lovely picture and I am overjoyed with it.”
Four years later, King is in England as the Second World War rages. He visits the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle, diary entry Aug. 31, 1941
“At luncheon I was seated to the Queen’s right, with Princess Elizabeth to my right and Princess Margaret immediately opposite. The latter was quite entertaining in the way she laughed at different subjects that were discussed and particularly in making nicknames for (others). She also made her eyes look crossed and tried to amuse others. The Queen told her to stop doing that for fear they might become fixed in that position and the King had also to tell her the same. When I talked to Princess Elizabeth about her (wartime radio) broadcast she was very sweet in the way she talked and was very natural in some further conversation we had together.”
Diary entry after official dinner with other Commonwealth and Empire leaders at Buckingham Palace, May 1, 1944
“At dinner, I had a very pleasant talk with Princess Elizabeth. She was very natural, not in the least shy. Looked very pretty and very happy and graceful ... We talked about Canada, the Princess remarking that she hoped very much that she might get out to Canada sometime soon ... Through the evening, Princess Elizabeth talked with different persons (including Sir Winston Churchill and other leaders from the British Empire). Looked pretty as a picture in the centre of the room, wearing a dress sort of rainbow square. In the course of the evening, I learned that it was the first official dinner that Princess Elizabeth has been present at since she became of age.”
The future Queen says she would have shot Adolf Hitler, Diary entry, Oct. 23, 1945, after a 1945 lunch at Buckingham Palace with King George VI and the future Queen
“Some mention was made of Hitler. When the King was speaking of not knowing whether Stalin was dead or alive, in addition to not knowing whether Hitler was dead or alive, the King said something about it being a pity that Hitler had not been shot. Princess Elizabeth said she would have been prepared to shoot him.”
The future Queen present as King George VI and Prime Minister King discuss the Igor Gouzenko spy case, Diary entry, May 24, 1946, London
“I was seated to the King’s right, and to the left of the Queen. Princess Elizabeth, next to the King and Princess Margaret Rose next to the Queen ... The King was especially interested in getting particulars of the Russian espionage matter. He had followed it pretty closely and seemed to be remarkably familiar with details.
He told me that he thought what we had done might be a very helpful exposé in regard to similar situations in different countries. He spoke of feeling very greatly concerned about Russian attitude and behaviour. Their establishment of the 5th column and the like. Later in the afternoon, I sent H.M. a copy of Gouzenko’ s confession.”
Marking Princess Elizabeth’s engagement to Prince Philip, Diary Entry, July 9, 1947
“I brought the cabinet together at 6 p.m. to read the dispatches that had come about the betrothal of Princess Elizabeth and to get their agreement to it. I had cabled the King last night of this ... I felt I should speak in the House this evening, rather than tomorrow morning. Had (future prime minister Lester) Pearson drafting something which I revised later — in particular, substituting for health, happiness and good fortune — the words — “divine guidance on their path in life “and “wishes being extended by MP’S.” I noted that that (John Bracken, Leader of the Tory Opposition) and others who spoke made a mistake in referring to Lieut. Mountbatten as Prince Consort. He will not be ‘Prince Consort’ until after they are married. Also, I struck out of Pearson’s draft, reference to our ‘future Queen.’ One does not know what may happen before the present King’s days are over.”
Upon presenting Princess
Elizabeth with wedding gifts on behalf of Canada, diary entry, Nov. 17, 1947
“The Princess received me in one of the drawing rooms alone. She was very pleasant, looking quite happy and smiling. We spoke first of meeting anew and I said I had come to bring her all possible good wishes from the Government and people of Canada, and also to present her the wedding gift which our country would be pleased if she would receive with our good wishes. I then handed to her the mink coat which was over my arm.
She said at once she had been delighted when she learned that she was to receive a mink coat. She made some comment on how beautiful it was and how pleased she was to have it. I then handed to her the silver cup (227 years old) as a token gift. I said we were all so pleased she had selected the candelabra and other pieces wholly to her own liking. She said it had been so kind to allow her to make a selection. Said they were very beautiful. Asked if I had seen the photographs of those that had been photographed. I then said we would have certain pieces suitably inscribed later as from the Government and the people ‘With Every Good Wish.’ I then said that the Legion had honoured me by asking me if I would present her with the brooch which its officers and members were making at the time of her marriage. I then read to her the illuminated scroll and handed it to her. She said something about how beautifully it was inscribed, illuminated and how kind it was of the veterans to have made the gift they did. Their acknowledgments were all made in a very informal, natural way. She looked much what she is — quite a young girl. Obviously happy and not too tired.”
Princess Elizabeth’s wedding day, diary entry Nov. 20, 1947
“Before coming away from the Palace, I was present among others when the bride and groom left. They each shook hands and I asked God’s blessing on each of them. They looked very happy and were wholly natural. Indeed, the whole proceedings at the Palace were much more dignified, quiet and natural than most weddings I have attended. There was not a note of boisterousness or excessive talking that I heard. One felt what a marvellous family the Royal Family really is.”
Thank you letter from Princess Elizabeth to Prime Minister King and the Canadian people, diary entry, Dec. 17, 1947
“I then told them (his cabinet) I had received, in the previous evening, a letter from Princess Elizabeth thanking the government, and the people for their wedding present. I read this to the cabinet, remained standing while I did so, and speaking of it as a communication from our possible future Queen. That I wished my colleagues to be the first to hear the letter. That I would read it to the House this afternoon.”
King reads a thank-you letter to Canada from Princess Elizabeth in the House of Commons by Mackenzie King, as recorded in Hansard.
“Dear Mr. Mackenzie King: I am most grateful to the government and people of Canada for the wedding present of such remarkable generosity which they have sent me. They have given me a collection of silver so magnificent, both in quality and in quantity, that my pride in its possession is only equalled by my pleasure that the people of Canada should have seen fit to express their good will towards me in this way.
Not content with this splendid present they have sent me in addition a mink coat of absolute perfection. Whenever I wear it, as I very often shall, it will remind me of the moving tributes and marks of affection which have reached me from all over Canada during these last few weeks and which have left a very deep impression on me. I look forward to the day when the Duke of Edinburgh and I will be able to visit Canada to thank its citizens in person for their kindness towards us, and to learn to know the country and the people as we most earnestly desire to do.”