| In 1945, Life Magazine published an article about then Princess Elizabeth. | It reported that King George VI had ruled that Elizabeth’s training as a princess outweighed the nations growing manpower problems. He concluded that ‘Betts’ should not join any of the women’s auxiliaries, nor work in a factory.
But The King would not get his way.
The young princess was determined to do her bit for the war effort, as so many of her peers were doing. Within just a year of her 18th birthday, Elizabeth signed up for service. It was an unprecedented decision that would come to shape her life and reign.
Watch the video to learn about The Queen’s time serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War and the pivotal role this experience played in defining her as a monarch.
IWM is marking Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a rich programme exploring the role of the Royal Family in conflict.
A new exhibition at IWM London, Crown and Conflict: Portraits of a Queen In Wartime, explores The Queen's role in times of war through a series of poignant photographs.
Also at IWM London, Royals in Wartime is a dedicated trail of historic objects exploring The Royals Family's intimate association with the British armed forces.
Click here to find out more about how IWM is marking the occasion. |
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 | Visitors to 'Crown and Conflict: Portraits of a Queen in Wartime' at IWM London |
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 | | | | The Royal Family in Wartime | Showcasing more than fifty photographs, this brand-new IWM publication explores The Royal Family's relationship with conflict.
The book shows how The Royal Family has served in the armed forces and boosted the morale of a weary wartime nation.
Includes a series of photographs of The Queen serving in the Auxillary Territorial Service during the Second World War. | |
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| | |  | | A still from 'They Shall Not Grow Old' |
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| 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund | IWM is harnessing the legacy of 14-18 NOW, making £2 million available to artists and cultural organisations for new commissions exploring any theme from the First World War up to present day conflicts.
The programme has been funded by a share of the royalties from Peter Jackson’s They Shall Not Grow Old, co-commissioned by IWM and 14-18 NOW to mark the end of the First World War Centenary in 2018. | |
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