Switzerland-born and London-based artist Miel de Botton unveils her most personal work to date with Mon Cher Petit Papa, a moving homage to her father, the late Gilbert de Botton. Taken from Loved Ones: Volume 1 — the first of three deeply intimate EPs — the track blends the elegance of classic French chanson with heartfelt storytelling and emotional clarity.
Miel added: “There were two particular negative, horrible events in my life – the passing of my dad and my divorce. Those made me feel for a time, obviously, very, very low. But then, gradually, as I emerged, I wanted to feel and give joy. And I felt liberated, in a way, because my father had been a rather strict judge of my life. He was a really big person watching over my shoulder. And when he went, it was absolutely awful, because I adored him but it also gave me the courage to pursue my dreams. I had always missed him. As I say in the song, he was always so busy, a self-made genius who was well known to be so knowledgeable in many fields. I lost him suddenly, tragically just as I was moving back to London from 10 years in Paris and I was looking forward to spending time with him.”
Sung in French, and inspired by the timeless stylings of Piaf and Aznavour, Mon Cher Petit Papa is a luminous ode to a beloved parent, composed with the same warmth and reverence that defines the entire Loved Ones project. The accompanying video, directed by Danny and Sam Clifford, captures Miel’s vulnerability with cinematic grace — a visual letter of love, memory and legacy.
Miel commented: “It was a beautiful process to work with Danny Clifford, my photographer, choosing the pictures and film material. He digitalised all of this and then I worked with his son Sam Clifford who made the wonderful video with the material. It was a very healing process, re-experiencing these memories involving the whole family. When I watch it, I am moved to tears, transported back to my childhood, to those trips together, those family times in our Zurich house and garden. I feel and hope the song and video will touch people in the same way, heart to heart!”
Out now, Loved Ones: Volume 1 is the first chapter in a rich musical trilogy — with Volumes 2 and 3 arriving in November 2025 and February 2026. The project honours those closest to Miel’s heart, featuring songs inspired by her childhood nanny (now 95), her brother Alain, her beauty therapist (a survivor of domestic abuse), and of course, her father — a financial pioneer whose love of music continues to shape her sound.
With her signature blend of chanson, piano ballads, Europop and meditative spoken-word, Miel showcases her range as a writer and performer — whimsical yet profound, playful yet poetic. From Latin-tinged waltzes to soaring choral arrangements, Loved Ones is a genre-spanning celebration of connection in all its forms.
Earlier this summer, Miel shared Hit Song, a euphoric, disco-drenched track which quickly picked up millions of views for its life-affirming video — featuring many of the friends and family who inspired the EPs.
Miel de Botton’s journey into music has always been one of courage and transformation. A trained clinical psychologist, Oxford law graduate, and mother of two, she took a bold leap into the arts later in life — releasing her debut album Magnetic in 2015, followed by Surrender to the Feeling in 2019. Since then, she has toured internationally, graced stages at Camp Bestival and Carfest, and played sold-out shows at Crazy Coqs, Dean St Jazz Club and The Pheasantry.
She will return to the stage this autumn in support of Simply Red, performing at Paris’s Accor Arena on 19th November.
Off stage, Miel continues to champion causes close to her heart — from peace and environmental campaigns to global community projects. Her song I Was Given Nature was selected for WWF’s ‘Connect To Earth’ campaign, further cementing her belief that music, at its best, can change the world.
