What did the young Queen Elizabeth II do during WWII?

Princess Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, as the first child of the Duke of York, who later became King George VI.

Her early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, a townhouse in London, where she lived a relatively private life away from the public eye.

As a young princess, she received a traditional upbringing that was focused on the values of duty and service.

Her education took place at home under the guidance of her mother and her governess, Marion Crawford.

In addition, Elizabeth developed a strong bond with her sister, Princess Margaret, who was born in 1930. 

At the age of ten, Elizabeth’s life took a dramatic turn when her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite.

This unexpectedly thrust her father onto the throne as King George VI and placed Elizabeth directly in line as the heir presumptive.

With her new position came greater responsibilities and an increased focus on preparing for her future role.

The young princess began receiving additional training in statecraft and public affairs to prepare her for the possibility of becoming queen. 

In the years leading up to World War II, Elizabeth’s public profile grew steadily. She undertook her first public engagement in 1939, when she accompanied her parents on a visit to the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth.

There, she met Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, who would later become her husband. 

When World War II broke out in September 1939, it sent shockwaves through Britain, including the royal family.

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, decided not to flee to the safety of Canada, as some advisers suggested.

Instead, the king believed their place was with the British people, to endure the same dangers and deprivations. 

To demonstrate their commitment, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth even stayed at Buckingham Palace during the height of the Blitz.

This decision obviously came at a significant personal risk. Buckingham Palace itself suffered bomb damage and the queen famously declared that she could now “look the East End in the face,” after a bomb exploded in the palace courtyard. 

For Princess Elizabeth, at just 13 years old when the war began, she was thrust into an unprecedented situation that required her to grow up quickly.

Her family became visible symbols of national unity, undertaking visits to bombed-out areas, factories, and military units.

Their presence was meant to provide comfort and inspiration to those facing hardship and loss. 

During World War II, Princess Elizabeth took on a more visible public role to support and uplift the British people, especially the children affected by the conflict.

One of her most notable contributions came on October 13, 1940, when she delivered a radio broadcast aimed at reassuring children who had been evacuated from their homes to avoid the German bombing raids.

Speaking on the BBC’s “Children’s Hour,” she addressed the young listeners, expressing her understanding of their fears and separation from their families.

She told them, “We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers, and airmen, and we are trying to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war.”  

This broadcast reached millions and is considered to be the beginning of Princess Elizabeth’s increasing public presence during the war.

She was quickly presented as a symbol of hope and strength for the younger generation.

Along with her sister, Princess Margaret, she then went on to make numerous appearances at public events: they visited hospitals, schools, and military units.

These visits were specifically planned to boost morale among both civilians and servicemen.

As a result, people saw in her a someone who shared in their struggles. As the war progressed, Princess Elizabeth’s role continued to evolve.

In 1943, she made her first solo public appearance at a Grenadier Guards inspection.  

In 1945, as World War II drew to a close, Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army.

At the age of 18, she became the first female member of the royal family to join the armed forces as a full-time active member.

Her decision carried a great symbolic weight, as it showed that even the royal family was not exempt from the call to duty that had been extended to all Britons. 

As a member of the ATS, Princess Elizabeth trained as a mechanic and driver. Like all other members, she undertook a rigorous course that involved learning to repair and maintain military vehicles.

Then, her daily responsibilities involved changing tires, disassembling and reassembling engines, and driving a variety of military vehicles, including ambulances and trucks.

Consequently, she acquired skills that were unusual for a woman of her status and background. 

The sight of the future queen working alongside others in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, donning a uniform, and engaging in manual labor, broke down barriers and demonstrated solidarity with the people.

In fact, her time in the ATS allowed her to engage with people from all walks of life, which gave her insights into the experiences of the British working class.

Her youth and sincerity are said to have resonated with people. The active engagement during the final months of the war set her apart from previous royal figures, who had largely maintained ceremonial roles. 

Royal watchers at the end of the war claimed that Princess Elizabeth’s experiences had helped her to develop a deep understanding of the value of service.

Also, they claim that Elizabeth came to see her role as more than a ceremonial figurehead; she recognized the importance of direct engagement with people.

In the years following the war, she often spoke about how these experiences had shaped her understanding of the monarchy's responsibilities.

She believed that a monarch should be a unifying presence, a constant figure of stability and support, especially during times of national difficulty. 

To some extent, this appears to have been true, as many who worked alongside her in the ATS or met her during her public appearances spoke of her genuine concern for the welfare of others and her willingness to learn.

As a result of these experiences, her reign as queen was marked by a consistent focus on the personal values she embraced during the war years.

Ultimately, it influenced her understanding of her role as a monarch.