Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park.
November 20, 2017, marked the 70th anniversary of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, and Philip Mountbatten. The royal family announced the engagement in early July 1947.
Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten the day their engagement was announced, 1947 (c) Artemisia’s Royal Jewels
In response, President Harry S. Truman had the Department of State send the following congratulatory telegrams (found in the RG 59 Central Decimal Files, NAID 302021).
President Harry S. Truman to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, telegram, July 10, 1947, file 841.0011/7-1047, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59: General Records of the Department of State. Note that President Truman initialed the telegram before it was sent.President Harry S. Truman to Princess Elizabeth, telegram, July 10, 1947, file 841.0011/7-1047, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59: General Records of the Department of State. Note that President Truman signed this telegram before it was sent.The U.S. embassy in London sent a brief report about the engagement. In it, the embassy reported rumors that Princess Elizabeth threatened to abdicate if her marriage to Mountbatten did not receive royal approval.
U.S. Embassy Great Britain to Department of State, Despatch 1649, July 14, 1947, 1947, file 841.0011/7-1447, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59
U.S. Embassy Great Britain to Department of State, Despatch 1649, July 14, 1947, 1947, file 841.0011/7-1447, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59
With the expectation of the receipt of a governmental invitation to the upcoming royal wedding, the Department of State recommended, and President Truman approved, naming U.S. ambassador to Great Britain Lewis Douglas to represent the U.S. at the ceremony.
Under Secretary of State Robert Lovett, Memorandum for the President (with Truman’s notation of approval), September 17, 1947, 1947, file 841.0011/9-2047, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59After the November 20 wedding, the U.S. embassy sent the following report, which included commentary on the secure position of the royal family in England, especially as compared to some other European royalty.
U.S. Embassy Great Britain to Department of State, Despatch 2690, November 25, 1947, 1947, file 841.0011/11-2547, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59
U.S. Embassy Great Britain to Department of State, Despatch 2690, November 25, 1947, 1947, file 841.0011/11-2547, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59
U.S. Embassy Great Britain to Department of State, Despatch 2690, November 25, 1947, 1947, file 841.0011/11-2547, 1945-49 Central Decimal File, RG 59
