EKING HAAKON VII – AUTOGRAPH LETTER (1921) – CROWNED H MONOGRAM – SIGNED “CHARLES” – TO LORD FARQUHAR – 4Page ALS

A four‑page ALS, autograph letter entirely written and signed by King Haakon VII, dated 13 January 1921, on his personal crowned‑H monogram royal stationery. Addressed to Lord Farquhar (Horace Brand Farquhar, 1st Earl Farquhar) — one of the closest English associates of the wider royal family and a sponsor at the 1896 wedding of Prince Carl of Denmark (later King Haakon VII) and Princess Maud of Wales.

Haakon & Farquhar: A Genuine Royal Friendship

Lord Farquhar was part of the Marlborough House Set, the inner social circle around King Edward VII. As a trusted courtier and Master of the Household, he interacted frequently with visiting European royalty, including Haakon, both before and after Haakon’s marriage to Maud. Their relationship was personal, warm, and rooted in shared royal and social ties.

Although contact became less frequent after Edward VII’s death, surviving correspondence shows that a baseline of genuine cordiality remained. This 1921 letter demonstrates that warmth clearly: Haakon writes in English, discusses domestic matters, and uses informal forms of address that only a close friend would receive.

Why Haakon Signs “Charles”

Haakon VII was born Prince Carl of Denmark. Within the family — and with intimate English friends — he continued to use the English form “Charles.” Princess Maud always called him Charles, and he used this name in private correspondence throughout his life.

Combined with the crowned‑H monogram, the English tone, the domestic detail, and the signature “Charles,” the attribution is fully secure: this is a genuine King Haakon VII autograph letter.

Written across four full pages, with excellent legibility and strong historical interest. A premium example of Haakon VII’s private handwriting, combining royal domestic detail with aristocratic English connections.

Provenance: 

From a single owner collection of 3,000+ items. A chaotic uncatalogued miscellany of items from 17th to 20th Century. 

Containing, amongst many other things: ALSs (Autograph Letters Signed); Signed Photos, Posters, Ephemera, Album pages; Clipped Signatures; Signed Free Fronts; Misc Manuscript Items; etc, etc.  

Haakon VII (Aug 1872 – Sep 1957) was King of Norway from 1905 until his death in 1957, having reigned for nearly 52 years.

Maud of Wales (Nov 1869 – Nov 1938) was Queen of Norway as the wife of King Haakon VII. The youngest daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom and a sister of King George V, she was known as Princess Maud of Wales before her marriage, as her father was the Prince of Wales at the time.

Horace Brand Farquhar, 1st Earl Farquhar, GCB, GCVO, PC, DL (May 1844 – Aug 1923) was a British financier, courtier, Conservative politician, and rogue.