Despite the profusion of ominous predictions in the months preceding the outbreak of the Second World War, the Royal Family was caught somewhat by surprise when it eventually came to pass. Taking his cue from his Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, George VI was a keen proponent of the policy of appeasement. Like Chamberlain, he had underestimated the Nazis to such an extent that, even as late as August 1939, George continued to believe that Hitler’s aggressive overtures were nothing more than mere posturing.
George VI and Queen Elizabeth (1939, prior to outbreak of war)
Whatever his earlier failings, George VI certainly came into his own once war had been declared. Refusing to abandon their people, the King and Queen remained at Buckingham Palace every weekday, returning at night to the relative safety of Windsor Castle, where they also spent every weekend. Indeed, so determined were they to stand in solidarity with their subjects, they did not alter this routine, even after narrowly escaping serious injury when the Palace suffered the first of nine direct hits in September 1940. Elizabeth and Margaret, however, were not subjected to any such dangers. After spending the first few months of the war in the care of their nanny and governess in Scotland, the princesses relocated to the heavily fortified Windsor Castle in December 1939. They would remain there for the duration of the war, although in the interests of their safety, their exact location was never disclosed to the public.
Fortunately for them, the princesses were largely shielded from the hardships and deprivations of war. While the Royal Family used ration books and clothing coupons just like everyone else, they still managed to eat well, thanks in large part to the abundance of game on the royal estates. In addition, the heiress presumptive and her sister had the luxury of seeing their parents regularly, something other children – many of whom were evacuated to live with strangers in more rural areas of the country – could only dream about.
Princess Elizabeth with Princess Margaret and Queen Mary (1939)
From the outset, Elizabeth, in her characteristically conscientious way, was keen to do her part for the war effort. During the first few years, she set about knitting socks for soldiers on the front, and donated to the Red Cross and Air Ambulance Fund from her pocket money allowance. In addition, Elizabeth played an integral role in keeping up the nation’s spirits. During the Battle of Britain, she made a number of broadcasts to the nation as part of the Children in Wartime radio series, while she also appeared, alongside Margaret, in a pictorial publication called Our Princesses at Home, aimed at highlighting the steadfastness and dependability of the Royal Family.
However, while the King was not averse to using his daughters for propaganda purposes, for most of the conflict he steadfastly refused his eldest daughter’s requests to get further involved in the war effort. He maintained this position until early 1945, when he finally relented, allowing Elizabeth to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
Windsor Castle
In the ATS, Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor (No. 230873), embarked on a Vehicle Maintenance Course, where she learned how to drive a motorcar, service engines and gained expertise in the maintenance of military vehicles. But in May 1945, Elizabeth’s adventure with the ATS came to an abrupt end when the Allied forces finally claimed victory over the enemy. After six long years, the war was finally over – and so was Elizabeth’s seclusion. Appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside her family and Winston Churchill during the VE Day celebrations, it was obvious that Elizabeth had greatly matured – gone was the pretty thirteen-year-old Lilibet and in her place stood a striking, quietly confident nineteen-year-old woman – a woman who would one day be queen.