Spencer considered him his friend, confessing that from "our first encounter at the headquarters at Dessie, I was drawn to him by his lively use of French and his swift ironic wit.
Throughout the 12 years of our collaboration, he and I, even in the midst of serious discussion in committee meetings, continued to indulge in ironic by-play.
"[2] He became Emperor Haile Selassie's private secretary prior to the Italian occupation, and accompanied his monarch into exile.
When Emperor Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia Wolde Giyorgis was at his side, having gained the Emperor's trust during their exile, as well as according to Bahru Zewde a "knack for political intregue",[3] Bereket Habte Selassie writes that "he was responsible (next to the Emperor—some say next to no one) for the post-restoration establishment of a firm control over the capital and the provinces.
As Christopher Clapham observed, "Not least of among the emperor's achievements was the way in which he caused the resentment both of the nobility and of frustrated reformers to be directed against Wolde Giyorgis rather than himself, thus remaining detached from policies for which he was essentially responsible.