Giving away your daughter to her new husband is a bittersweet moment in any father's life, and for King George VI it was no different. The King wrote a beautiful letter to his eldest child the Queen – who at the time was still Princess Elizabeth – in 1947 and sent it shortly after her wedding.
The touching message, in which King George says he feels he has "lost something very precious", was released on Friday to mark the Queen and Prince Philip's 68th wedding anniversary.
It was unveiled on Buckingham Palace's official Twitter account alongside a video of black-and-white images from the royal wedding.
King George VI's letter to his daughter Princess Elizabeth was released to mark her wedding anniversary
"I was so proud and thrilled at having you so close to me on our long walk in Westminster Abbey," wrote the late King. "But when I handed your hand to the Archbishop, I felt I had lost something very precious.
"You were so calm and composed during the service and said your words with such conviction that I knew everything was alright.
© Photo: Getty Images"Your leaving us has left a great blank in our lives," wrote George
"I have watched you grow up all these years with pride under the skilful direction of Mummy, who, as you know, is the most marvellous person in the world in my eyes, and I can, I know, always count on you and now Philip to help us in our work.
"Your leaving us has left a great blank in our lives. But do remember that your old home is still yours and do come back to it as much and as often as possible.
© Photo: Getty Images"I can, I know, always count on you and now Philip to help us in our work," added the late King
"I can see that you are sublimely happy with Philip which is right but don't forget us, is the wish of your ever loving and devoted... Papa."
Elizabeth was 21 years old when she married the Duke of Edinburgh. The pair had met when the Princess was just 13 and shortly after they started to exchange love letters. Eight years later their engagement was announced on 9 July 1947 and the wedding took place in November of that year.
