By
Nigel Blundell
18:14 EST, 9 June 2012
|
18:14 EST, 9 June 2012
It is well known that the young Princess Elizabeth was so fond of her beloved first corgi that she took the dog, named Susan, on her honeymoon – and that she hid the pet under a pile of rugs as she and Prince Philip rode through London in an open carriage after their wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1947.
But now, for the first time, the Queen’s despair at the death of her dog 12 years later is revealed in a letter written to the vet who tried in vain to save Susan’s life.
The Queen, who was 32 at the time, wrote to Norfolk vet Harold Swann: ‘I had always dreaded losing her as I had had her since she was six weeks old but I am ever so thankful that her suffering was so mercifully short. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth R.’
Adored: Princess Elizabeth holding Sue, a corgi pup, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire, in 1944
Despite her sadness, the Queen’s warm humour is also portrayed in a separate note to Mr Swann, informing him of the state of Susan’s health just five days before the pet died.
Replying to the vet’s question about how long the plump, 14-year-old corgi had been increasing in size, Her Majesty replied: ‘No idea – she’s always been fat!’
The dog was a wartime gift to Princess Elizabeth on her 18th birthday in 1944 from her father, George VI.
Despite being adored by Her Majesty, Susan achieved notoriety for biting various servants, a detective and a policeman.
Faithful friend: The corgi Susan’s grave at Sandringham
The Queen pictured in 1962 with her pet corgis in the garden of Windsor Castle
Since Susan’s death, the Queen has kept more than 30 of her descendants as pets
Mr Swann treated the Royal pets whenever the Queen visited the Sandringham estate. He died in 1994, but his daughter, Carole Harrisson, kept his correspondence describing the events in January 1959.
The corgi’s headstone at Sandringham estate bears the words, chosen by the Queen: ‘Susan. Born 20th Feb 1944. Died 26th Jan 1959. For almost 15 years the faithful companion of the Queen.’
Since Susan’s death, the Queen has kept more than 30 of her descendants as pets.
* The correspondence will be shown in a Jubilee Special Antiques Roadshow tonight on BBC1 at 7.30pm.
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Corgis have been a feature of royal life since the early 1930s. The Queen only has about 3 left. If she dies before them, I think Princess Anne will look after them. It will be a sad day when there are no more corgis pattering around at the feet of the Monarch.
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John, Scunthorpe…………….what a cheerful soul you are! none of us ask to be born into the life we get. but most make the best of it enjoy life. you clearly dont.
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There were lots of daughters of men that died in thee mines and there were lots of daughters who died in the dark satanic mills, while the royal family lived in the lap of luxury as a result of riding on the backs of those who sweated blood and tears for a pittance.
– John, Scunthorpe, 10/6/2012 07:43
———————Aye thes trouble at mill.
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The owner of Susan was Queen when the corgi died so the headline’s wrong.
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I was bit by a corgi when I was a child…nasty, vicious little thing it was. I was after that terrified of them and despite being a dog lover now if anyone asked what breed I would never own it would be a corgi…not many of them about nowadays.
Sad though to lose a pet be it dog or cat or other. I have a little dog and he is only 5 but the thought of losing him is very hard to imagine.
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There were lots of daughters of men that died in thee mines and there were lots of daughters who died in the dark satanic mills, while the royal family lived in the lap of luxury as a result of riding on the backs of those who sweated blood and tears for a pittance.
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These Royal corgis are nearly 68 years old, it’s only to be expected that some of them will start to die soon.
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Whether royalty or commoner, the loss of a loving pet is a devastating blow. My 16-year-old is slowing down, and my heart is already breaking.
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