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The British Royal Family in World War II

The British Royal Family in World War II

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s 95th birthday and in memory of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, I’m highlighting the pivotal role of the British Royal Family in World War II. Their example of service and grit shone as examples in Britain – and throughout the world.

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret at Buckingham Palace on the king’s coronation day, London, 12 May 1937 (United Kingdom National Archives)

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret at Buckingham Palace on the king’s coronation day, London, 12 May 1937 (United Kingdom National Archives)

During World War II, King George VI sat on the throne of England, with Queen Elizabeth at his side, the woman better known to modern generations as the “Queen Mum.”

King George VI was crowned in Westminster Abbey on May 12, 1937, at the age of 41, after the controversial abdication of his older brother King Edward VIII. King George VI was born in 1895, Queen Elizabeth in 1900, and they were married in 1923. Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) was born in 1926 and Princess Margaret in 1930.

King George VI of the United Kingdom delivering his radio address announcing Britain’s entry into the war with Germany, Buckingham Palace, London, 3 Sept 1939 (United Kingdom National Archives)

King George VI of the United Kingdom delivering his radio address announcing Britain’s entry into the war with Germany, Buckingham Palace, London, 3 Sept 1939 (United Kingdom National Archives)

On September 1, 1939, World War II began when Germany invaded Poland. The United Kingdom declared war on September 3, and the king addressed the nation that evening. Children were evacuated from London in anticipation of German bombing, and the princesses stayed at Balmoral Castle in Scotland for the first few months of the war and at Windsor Castle for the majority of the war years. However, the king and queen refused to leave London and refused to send the princesses to Canada as many urged. Queen Elizabeth stated “The children won’t go without me. I won’t leave the King. And the King will never leave.”

From the beginning, the Royal Family aided the war effort. In November 1939, Queen Elizabeth urged British women to contribute to the war effort, and she published The Queen’s Book of the Red Cross, with contributions from fifty British authors and artists, with the funds aiding the Red Cross.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit the East End, the site of the last V-2 to fall on London on 27 Mar 1945, visiting on 4 Oct 1945 (United Kingdom National Archives)

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit the East End, the site of the last V-2 to fall on London on 27 Mar 1945, visiting on 4 Oct 1945 (United Kingdom National Archives)

When the German Luftwaffe began bombing London in September 1940, the impoverished East End was devastated. The queen visited the ravaged neighborhoods but was poorly received at first. On September 13, bombs hit Buckingham Palace for the first time. Queen Elizabeth stated, “I’m glad we’ve been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the East End in the face.” Quickly, the king and queen’s insistence on staying in Buckingham Palace, their strict adherence to rationing and other restrictions, and their compassionate visits to victims of the Blitz won over the population.

On May 20, 1941, the king and queen visited Plymouth, and missed a bombing of that city—planned by the Germans to coincide with their visit—by only hours. The queen’s fortitude and her extremely positive impact on morale caused Adolf Hitler to call her the “most dangerous woman in Europe.”

King George VI with Gen. Bernard Montgomery at British 21st Army Group Headquarters in the Netherlands, 13 Oct 1944 (Imperial War Museum)

King George VI with Gen. Bernard Montgomery at British 21st Army Group Headquarters in the Netherlands, 13 Oct 1944 (Imperial War Museum)

King George VI visited the troops in England, including the many American troops who would be stationed on British soil. He also made frequent trips to visit the commanders and troops overseas—to France in December 1939, North Africa and Malta in June 1943, Normandy in June 1944, Italy in July 1944, and the Netherlands in October 1944. His willingness to visit so close to the front lines endeared him to the troops.

Princess Elizabeth with B-17G Rose of York of the US 306th Bombardment Group, Thurleigh, England (US Army Air Forces photo)

Princess Elizabeth with B-17G Rose of York of the US 306th Bombardment Group, Thurleigh, England (US Army Air Forces photo)

While no royal weddings occurred in England during World War II, the seeds of a romance were sprouting. At the age of 13, Princess Elizabeth became infatuated with a naval cadet who gave her family a tour of the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, and they began exchanging letters in July 1939. That naval cadet? Her future husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the uniform of a Commander, Royal Navy, takes a Royal Salute during his visit to Malta in 1952 (Imperial War Museum: A 32405)

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the uniform of a Commander, Royal Navy, takes a Royal Salute during his visit to Malta in 1952 (Imperial War Museum: A 32405)

Prince Philip served with distinction in the Royal Navy during the war. In 1940 he was assigned to the battleship HMS Ramillies in the Indian Ocean, then to the battleship HMS Valiant in the Mediterranean. There he participated in the Battle of Cape Matapan on 28 March 1941, and earned a commendation for his command of a searchlight crew. After a return to Britain for more courses, he served on destroyer HMS Wallace, escorting convoys on Britain’s east coast and participating in the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) in July 1943. In 1942 at the age of 21, he became first lieutenant of the Wallace, one of the youngest men to hold that rank. In 1944 he became first lieutenant of the brand-new destroyer HMS Whelp, which served in the Indian Ocean. The Whelp – and Prince Philip – were present for the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip married in 1947, and the prince remained in active service until his wife took the throne in 1952.

Princess Elizabeth, 2nd Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, April 1945 (Imperial War Museum: TR 2832)

Princess Elizabeth, 2nd Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, April 1945 (Imperial War Museum: TR 2832)

During World War II, the young princesses stayed in Windsor Castle most of the time. They aided the war effort through the Girl Guides and the Sea Rangers. On October 13, 1940, Princess Elizabeth gave her first radio broadcast, on the BBC’s Children’s Hour, to encourage child evacuees far from home and family. And in 1943, at the age of 16, Princess Elizabeth began more public appearances.

In February 1945, despite her parents’ objections, Princess Elizabeth enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s auxiliary of the Royal Army. She was the first female member of the Royal Family in history to serve as an active member of the armed forces. Trained as a mechanic and driver, she became proficient with a number of military vehicles. It is said she loved having dirt under her fingernails and still has a fondness for driving.

Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, King George VI, and Princess Margaret on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, 8 May 1945 (US Army photo)

Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, King George VI, and Princess Margaret on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, 8 May 1945 (US Army photo)

On May 8, 1945, the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe Day. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, with permission from their parents, anonymously joined the rejoicing crowds in London, “swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.” The Royal Family and Prime Minister Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace before a jubilant crowd.

Without a doubt, the indomitable spirit of the Royal Family helped the people of the United Kingdom through their darkest times.

One response to “The British Royal Family in World War II”

  1. Linda Durham says:

    Thank you for this article. When I was in elementary school, our class was required to do a research paper on any person or subject we chose. I chose Queen Elizabeth II Coronation and thoroughly enjoyed reading everything I could find in magazines and books about it. To this day I’m still interested in her and her family. Your information was very interesting, especially in light of Prince Phillip’s death, Queen Elizabeth’s 95th birthday, and all the wonderful stories that gave been shared about their love for each other, their family and all of England. Thank you again for sharing.

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