Read a Never-Before-Seen Letter from King George VI to His Speech Therapist
The struggles King George VI had with his stammer and the speech doctor who helped him overcome them were immortalized in the 2010 film The King’s Speech. And now, a newly discovered letter that sheds more light on the real story behind the Academy Award-winning movie is up for sale.
The letter, sent from the King to Lionel Logue just five days after his 1937 Coronation ceremony, details the monarch's anxiety about the major event. It also outlines his relief at getting his words out correctly.
In the note dated 17th May 1937 and sent from Windsor Castle, King George VI writes:
“I could not wait to send you a few lines to thank you again for your hard work in helping me prepare for the great day.
You know how anxious I was to get my responses right in the Abbey, the poor rehearsal adding greatly to me anxiety, but my mind was finally set at ease tonight. Not a moment’s hesitation or mistake!”
Logue began helping the George VI with his stammer in 1926 when he was still the Duke of York and a working royal, but did not yet know that he would one day be King. However, when his brother Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936, he found himself addressing the nation as monarch.
A gift of a silver-gilt cigarette case bearing King George VI’s royal cypher was enclosed along with the letter. Both are being sold at auction in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on April 29 and are expected to fetch at least £4,000.
“We believe this letter is the only example written to Logue by George VI which has not been retained by the Logue family,” explains Rupert Slingsby, silver specialist at Woolley and Wallis sale room where the cigarette case and letter are to be sold.
“When Lionel Logue died in April 1953 both the case and the letter were given to his younger brother, Herbert. In August of the same year Herbert gave both to an Australian jeweller in lieu of a payment of £27 (about £1,300 today), which was owed for a graduated pearl necklace with a sapphire and diamond clasp.” A descendant of the jeweller is selling the items.
“Whilst our vendor realised the historical significance of the items, I don’t think he appreciated quite how valuable they could be to British collectors,” explains Slingsby.
“Before ‘The King’s Speech’, most people were unaware of the difficulties that George VI encountered with his stammer, but the enduring and endearing friendship between the King and Lionel Logue that emerged from that is especially evident in this new letter.”
Read the letter in full below:
My dear Logue,
The Queen and I have just viewed the film of our Coronation, & I could not wait to send you a few lines to thank you again for your hard work in helping me prepare for the great day.
You know how anxious I was to get my responses right in the Abbey, the poor rehearsal adding greatly to me anxiety, but my mind was finally set at ease tonight. Not a moment’s hesitation or mistake! The same cannot be said of the Bishops, of course, nor the pen I used to sign the Oath; the ink got all over my fingers, but fortunately one can hardly make it out.
The success was due to your expert supervision and unfailing patience with me over recent months, & I truly don’t know how I could have done it without you.
I want you to know how grateful I am, not only for your invaluable help with my speech, but for your devoted friendship & encouragement, & I hope you will accept this small gift as a token of my appreciation.
Yours very sincerely
George RI
You Might Also Like
