Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family _ a glorious illustrated history

Rocking Horse Elizabeth and Margaret pose on a rocking horse in the nursery at the country home of the Bowes-Lyon family in Hertfordshire, England. Their mother had played with the same horse as a child.



The Princesses at home Princess Elizabeth (right) spends some quiet family time with her pet dog, sister Princess Margaret, and mother Queen Elizabeth in the grounds of Windsor Castle in the summer of 1941.

1911–1947 The Royal Family in World War II When Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, George VI was still establishing his role as king. Following the example set by his father in World War I, he focused on the role of Royal Family to boost morale and inspire social cohesion and national spirit. I n many ways the epitome of school education made compulsory up that had been bombed, especially in King’s speech the reserved, dutiful family man, to the age of 14. Newspaper circulation the East End. The Palace also was hit In the official photograph of the event, King George King George VI became an unlikely was on the increase, and—even more many times by German bombs. On looks calm and regal in his naval uniform, sitting at symbol of national resistance. For significant—almost every home in the September 13, 1940, it suffered a direct his desk in front of a microphone. Actually, he delivered ordinary working- and middle-class country had a radio, and every town a hit when the King and Queen were in the speech standing in shirt sleeves at a lectern British people, this serious, modest movie theater. World War II was the the Palace. Few workers were injured in a small room with the window open. man who was happiest when at first war in which politicians and the home with his wife and children, King could communicate directly with came to represent the values that the populations, not only of Britain, Britain was fighting for. While a more but of the Commonwealth and even glamorous, dashing king may have with what remained of the Empire. served only to emphasize the gulf between rich and poor, this hesitant On the day war was declared— man, ill at ease in the spotlight, was September 3, 1939—George VI not widely seen to have inspired a sense only had to deliver the most important of common humanity. speech of his life, but had to do so live on radio. Anticipation was high, “ I’m glad we’ve been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the East End in the face.” QUEEN ELIZABETH, AFTER THE BOMBING OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE Society had changed since World and throughout the country, streets War I. Britain had had its first Labour emptied as the nation gathered around government, Ireland had declared itself their radio sets. The stakes could not an independent republic, women had have been higher, and the King knew won the vote and were increasingly it. He delivered the speech, and the going out to work, and society was only person present in the room was more educated than ever before with his speech therapist Lionel Logue (see p.97). Lionel advised the King to forget BEFORE about the audience and simply speak to him. The technique worked. For all George VI was still finding his his sobriety, George was the first feet as king after unexpectedly people’s king. inheriting the throne following the abdication of his brother, Bombing of Buckingham Palace Edward VIII. Throughout the war, King George and CHANGING ORDER Queen Elizabeth ignored advice to World and social order was in a state of move out of London to the safety of transition and crisis with the collapse Windsor Castle. They mostly remained of many monarchies and fascist at Buckingham Palace, making regular experiments in Europe. The British visits to give support to communities, Empire was in decline, while the US was on the rise. Resilient in wartime Queen Elizabeth and King George VI inspect the destruction at Buckingham Palace, following the German air raid during the Blitz, on September 10, 1940. They were not present in the Palace when it was bombed that day.

and the chapel was destroyed. On the among the footage of war devastation. All members of the Royal Wartime campaign same day, the King and Queen visited This footage was designed to raise Family—including the children— British women who wanted to work for the army West Ham in the East End. She later people’s morale. There were films, were expected to set an example to during World War II joined the Auxiliary Territorial said, “I felt as if I was walking in a too, of George VI‘s several visits to the nation by contributing to the war Service (ATS). It had 200,000 members by the end dead city... all the houses evacuated, troops on active service in France at effort. Princess Elizabeth not only of 1943. Princess Elizabeth served as a driver and and yet through the broken windows the beginning of the war in 1939, made her first radio broadcast to the a mechanic in the ATS. one saw all the poor little possessions... and in North Africa in 1943, following country’s children at the age of 14 just as they were left.” the victory of El Alamein—a city in (see p.106), but sewed items for troops AFTER Egypt where Britain fought the Axis and raised funds with a Christmas The fact that the Royal Family had forces twice in World War II. In June pantomime. She joined the Auxiliary George VI became a highly respected suffered too only endeared them more 1944, 10 days after D-Day, he visited his Territorial Service (ATS) later. monarch, but the stress of office to the population. Like most people army on the Normandy beaches, and had grave consequences for in Britain, George and Elizabeth lost later that year visited the troops in Italy In recognition of the demands that his health. relatives in the war. In 1942 the King’s and the Low Countries. Although not modern warfare inflicted on ordinary younger brother, Prince George, Duke involved in strategy, he met Prime people, the King decided to create NEW WORLD ORGANIZATIONS of Kent, was killed. Minister Winston Churchill in private medals to honor men and women— The beginnings of a new postwar world every Tuesday throughout the war, military and civilian—who had order with the formation of the United Support to the war-torn nation building up a relationship of mutual performed acts of outstanding courage. Nations (UN) in 1945 and the North trust and respect—one of the closest In 1942 the George Cross was awarded Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Weekly newsreels regularly included relationships ever to exist between a to the people of Malta in recognition in 1949. At home, legislation, including various footage of the Royal Family—visiting prime minister and monarch. of the bravery they displayed during acts setting up the welfare state, came into bomb sites, munitions factories, the long siege by the Germans. force, aiming at a healthier, better educated, hospitals, soup kitchens, troops— and more socially equal Britain. KING’S DECLINING HEALTH King George VI always had a delicate constitution, and the stress of office – in particular, leading the nation during World War II – severely affected his fragile health. A heavy smoker, he was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer. The King suffered a coronary thrombosis, a fatal blood clot to the heart, 132 ❯❯ and died in his sleep in 1952 at the age of 56. 9 The number of times Buckingham Palace was directly bombed by German planes during World War II. Victory day Working in the ATS Princess Elizabeth learns to change a car wheel as It is perhaps an indication of a subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) the relationship that had grown in 1945. By the end of the war she was promoted through the war years between to Junior Commander. the Royal Family and the British public, that on May 8, 1945, on the night of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, after appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to cheering crowds, the King agreed to his daughters’ rather unexpected request. “We asked my parents if we could go out and see for ourselves,” Elizabeth later revealed. Princess Elizabeth, 19, and her 14-year-old sister, Princess Margaret, with caps pulled down low over their eyes, mingled anonymously with the crowds. Describing it afterward, Elizabeth said, “We walked through the streets, a line of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, swept along on a tide of happiness and relief... I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.” 103



Visiting the war-affected George VI and Elizabeth visit people in Sheffield made homeless after a German bombing raid during World War II—one of many initiatives the Royal Family undertook to boost public morale.

1911–1947 Elizabeth’s Teenage Years Although Elizabeth and Margaret were raised in a privileged and sheltered environment, their lives were turned upside down at a very young age by two major events—the abdication of Edward VIII and the outbreak of World War II. A fter the abdication crisis governess to Elizabeth and Margaret had been. He encouraged her to sit Wartime broadcast (see pp.92–93) of 1936, for 16 years, remains the main source with him as he studied state papers In 1940, Elizabeth made her first radio Elizabeth’s father became for information on the Princesses’ (see p.130), and engaged Henry Marten, broadcast to the nation’s children, many king and the family moved from their lives at the time. Vice-Provost of Eton College, to give of whom had been evacuated. At the end, Piccadilly townhouse to Buckingham her an intensive course of classes in Margaret joined in too. Palace. The Piccadilly house was hardly A new home constitutional history, the role of modest—it had 25 bedrooms and a monarchy, and parliamentary procedure. rowing his boat after the departing staff of 16—but it was a thriving and According to Crawford, there was Meanwhile, Margaret’s education was Royal Yacht until the King had to much-loved family home, typical of nothing lovable about Buckingham less rigorous and regimented. bellow to him to go back.” Elizabeth the kind of London base maintained by Palace. It was bleak, vast, cold, and was apparently charmed. wealthier members of the aristocracy. infested with rodents: “You may think Thanks to their parents’ royal visits Marion Crawford (see pp.98–99), a royal palace is the last word in to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, War breaks out up-to-date luxury but nothing could and the US, the Princesses had the BEFORE be further from the truth. Living at opportunity—rare at the time—to A few months later, when war broke Buckingham Palace was rather like learn about foreign countries and out, the King and Queen remained in There was every reason to assume camping in a museum—one that’s cultures from people who had actually London, while the girls were removed that Edward VIII would continue to be dropping to bits… that first night, the traveled. In 1939, on a tour of the to Windsor Castle. It was a gloomy, king and produce heirs of his own. It wind moaned in the chimneys like US, Elizabeth’s mother wrote to her eerie place—windows had been seemed very unlikely that Elizabeth 1,000 ghosts. The palace had only describing a now famous picnic at blacked out, paintings removed for would ever accede to the throne. recently had electricity installed… President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s home safety, chandeliers suspended three My bedroom light, for instance, could in New York State: “We all sat at little inches above the ground so they A PRIVILEGED PRINCESS only be turned on and off by a switch tables under the trees round the house, wouldn’t shatter in the case of a Elizabeth and Margaret led the kind of two yards outside in the passage… and had all our food on one plate—a bomb, and furniture shrouded in sheltered, undemanding lives considered Food had to come the better part of little salmon, some turkey, some ham, sheets. The King kept pigs at one of the appropriate for aristocratic girls—lives in which half-a-mile from the kitchens at the lettuce, beans & HOT DOGS too!” estate farms, and the girls tended an the greatest achievement was to some day Buckingham Palace Road end to the “allotment”—a plot of land for growing marry well. Education was not taken very dining room at the Constitution Hill Occasionally, the girls accompanied vegetables or flowers—and kept seriously—both girls were homeschooled, end. We also needed the vermin man, their parents on royal visits. In July rabbits. Bathtubs at both Windsor and with dancing and riding as well as math and who fought an endless battle against 1939, 13-year-old Elizabeth with her Buckingham Palace had a black line English on the curriculum. Lessons were often the mice with cardboard traps that parents and sister, visited the Royal painted on them to ensure that no one interrupted when the Princesses’ mother had a lump of aniseed in the middle Naval College at Dartmouth. Prince bathed in more than 5 in (13 cm) of thought of something more fun to do. and treacle all around.” Philip of Greece (see pp.124–25), a water. During air raids, shelter was boisterous 18-year-old cadet, was given taken in one of the castle dungeons, If Crawford’s account is to be the task of looking after the girls. In her where beetles scuttled across the floor. trusted, it was she who worried account of the meeting, Crawford said However, the Princesses had the rare about the Princesses being too isolated, “He [Philip] played games with them luxury of a bathroom in their air raid and suggested that they join the [Elizabeth and Margaret], jumped over shelter. On one occasion, the librarian Girl Guides. The 1st Buckingham tennis nets, wolfed down plates of food took the girls down to the vaults and Palace Guide Company met for the first and generally romped, ending by time on June 9, 1937. It comprised 20 members, all of whom were daughters of the aristocracy or members of the royal household and Palace staff. A Brownie pack—a Guiding group for girls ages 7 to 10 years old—was started for Margaret with 14 members. Preparing to be Queen George VI was determined that Elizabeth be better prepared for the duties of monarchy than he Girl Guides Dressed in Girl Guide uniforms, Elizabeth and Margaret prepare to release a carrier pigeon with a message to Chief Guide Lady Olave Baden-Powell on the occasion of her late husband’s birthday in 1943.

ELIZABETH’S TEENAGE YEARS “ Thousands of you… have had to leave your AFTER homes… My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you as we know… what it means to Prepared by her father, George VI, be away from those we love most of all.” for her eventual role of monarch, Elizabeth grew up to be a serious ELIZABETH II, FROM HER FIRST RADIO BROADCAST TO THE NATION’S CHILDREN,1940 young woman. showed them the Crown Jewels (see a live radio broadcast to the nation’s at camp, cleaning up, giggling in A DEDICATED QUEEN pp.68–69), hidden in battered leather children, many of whom had been dugouts, and singing songs with the Elizabeth was made deeply aware of the hatboxes stuffed with newspaper. ordered to be evacuated. rest of the company, watched by their implications and duties of monarchy mother. The nation read with glee by her experience of World War II. In a The girls continued their work as Of the two children, Margaret was reports of the Queen drinking tea from radio speech broadcast throughout the Girl Guides at Windsor during the war, more funny, capricious, and naughty, a stained, chipped mug presented to Commonwealth from South Africa on her 21st and, like girls throughout the country, and tended to attract all the attention. her by Margaret. birthday, she made a solemn dedication: knitted and made brooches to be Elizabeth, on the other hand, was shy, “I declare before you that my whole life, sold for the war effort. In 1940, they serious, and socially ill at ease. She said On her 18th birthday in 1944, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to began to put on yearly plays to raise of her sister: “It’s so much easier when George VI appointed Elizabeth a your service and the service of our great Imperial money to support the troops. The King Margaret’s there—everyone laughs Counsellor of State, making her Commonwealth, to which we all belong. But I saw the Princesses’ efforts and quipped at what Margaret says.” responsible for performing his official shall not have the strength to carry out this “At least if I am dethroned the girls will duties at times when he was abroad or resolution unless you will join in it with me.” be able to earn their living.” In October Forays outside Windsor were absent due to illness. This was no mere 1940, Princess Elizabeth, with rare, although the girls did sometimes ceremonial task; shortly afterward, ELIZABETH AND PHILIP accompany their parents on public when the King was away in Italy, it After their 1939 meeting, Elizabeth and Philip Margaret by her side, engagements. At age 15, Elizabeth was Elizabeth’s duty as Counsellor to would be thrown together on several other made her first public joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service sign a reprieve for a murderer. The occasions 114–15 ❯❯, sowing the seeds for (ATS) as a volunteer, and learned Princess had so far been sheltered from their marriage 120–21, 266–67 ❯❯. speech— to drive a truck and maintain an the less savory aspects of life, and was engine. Guiding continued to give unprepared for the task and seemingly First official engagement disturbed by it. She asked, “What A special parade was organized at Windsor Castle the Princesses an occasional makes people do such terrible things?” to celebrate Elizabeth’s 16th birthday—her first taste of normality. In 1944, One ought to know! There must be official engagement. The Princess newly appointed as colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards, the two were filmed some way to help them. inspected the regiment. I have so much to learn about people.”

INSIGHT 1952–Present Family Pets The Royal Family’s love of canines has a long history, with pet dogs, ranging from pugs to King Charles spaniels, appearing in royal portraits from the 17th century onward. Since the reign of Queen Victoria, royal dogs have had their own graveyard at Sandringham. Elizabeth II is renowned for her love of corgis: the Crown coin that commemorated her Golden Jubilee shows her with a corgi. In 2012, three of her dogs, Monty, Holly, and Willow, featured in the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games. The Queen’s love of corgis began as a child. In 1933, her father bought one as a family pet. Although officially named Rozavel Golden Eagle, the household servants began calling him Dookie, a cheekily shortened version of “Duke”. Since then Elizabeth has bred 30 corgis, most of them descended from her 18th birthday present, a corgi named Susan, who accompanied Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their honeymoon in 1947. Although corgis remain her favorites, Elizabeth has also had labradors, a golden retriever, a cocker spaniel, a shih tzu, and has bred several dorgis, a corgi-dachshund cross. The Royal Family’s love of animals is not limited to dogs. Elizabeth is a skilled horsewoman and world-class race horse owner. At times, the Royal Family has been given rather unusual animals as presents. During World War II, Earl Mountbatten (see pp.192–93) showed up with a chameleon for Elizabeth and Margaret; in 1956, Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev gave a brown Syrian bear to six-year old Princess Anne; while in 1961, on a state visit to the Gambia, Elizabeth and Philip were presented with a baby crocodile—a gift for one-year-old Prince Andrew. The Queen's private secretary kept the baby crocodile in his bathtub until it could be donated to London Zoo. The Queen’s children and grandchildren have inherited her love of animals. They own dogs of various breeds and work as patrons for a wide range of animal charities. “ The Queen carries a magnet when having clothes fitted… to comb the room for any stray pins and needles so the dogs don’t hurt their paws.” A ROYAL DRESSMAKER, IN BRIAN HOEY'S PETS BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT The Queen and her dogs This picture of Elizabeth II was taken by photographer Lisa Sheridan in the gardens of Balmoral Castle in 1952. Sheridan became the Royal Family’s most trusted photographer after a commission to photograph the royal corgis for a book on dogs in the early 1930s. 108



1911–1947 Born 1900 Died 2002 Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother “ [Elizabeth is] the most dangerous woman in Europe.” ADOLF HITLER, ON ELIZABETH’S ABILITY TO BOOST BRITISH MORALE DURING THE WAR T he first “commoner” to marry into Portrait of a queen the Royal Family, Elizabeth Bowes- In this official portrait from 1954, Elizabeth Lyon was born into one of the wears a satin frock embroidered with gold and most important aristocratic families in silver thread and crystal beads. Her jewelry Scotland. Her marriage to Prince Albert and tiara are made of diamonds. was considered a step toward political modernization as princes had thus far hospital, and Elizabeth and her sister only married into other royal families. Rose helped nurse the wounded men. She had an idyllic childhood complete Four of their brothers joined the army; with everything from woodland dens one was captured and imprisoned, to candlelit balls. Elizabeth was largely while another was killed. Nonetheless, educated at home, with emphasis on frivolity was resumed with gusto after preparation for a good marriage. the war. Elizabeth was one of the London set’s “It girls”—charismatic, Growing up lively, and outgoing, but blessed with the good sense to do nothing that World War I began when Elizabeth could earn her the dreaded reputation was only 14. The family castle, Glamis of being “fast.” Castle, was turned into a military Early life New challenges Known as Buffy at home, Elizabeth was the ninth of 10 children. She spent most of her early childhood It was Elizabeth’s zest for life and easy at her parents’ country home, St. Paul’s Waldenbury informality that Prince Albert, the in Hertfordshire, north of London. Duke of York, loved. These qualities were not, however, appreciated by the senior royals. When Elizabeth gave an interview about her engagement and referred to her fiancé as Bertie, her future father-in-law, George V was furious. Once they were married, Elizabeth worked behind the scenes to help Albert overcome his stutter and build up his self-confidence. Determined that life for their children should have none of the bleak formality of Albert’s Victorian upbringing, she created a warm family home. Elizabeth was not shy of making her feelings known. Invited to dinner at Balmoral by Edward VIII, she found herself being welcomed by the new King’s lover, twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. 110

QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER TIMELINE Elizabeth walked straight past her, Setting a precedent Birth of Elizabeth ■ August 4, 1900 Born to Claude Bowes-Lyon saying “I came to dine with the King,” Elizabeth and the Duke of York were wed at Westminster The Duchess of York had her first child— and his wife, Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck. and seated herself at Edward’s right Abbey on April 26, 1923. The eight bridesmaids were: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, known to the family hand. A few months later, Edward (left to right) Mary Cambridge, Diamond Hardinge, Mary as Lilibet—by Caesarean section at 2.40 a.m. on ■ August 4, 1914 Turns 14; Britain declares abdicated (see pp.92–93) and Albert Thynn, Elizabeth Elphinstone, May Cambridge, Katharine April 21, 1926. Her second child, Margaret Rose, war on Germany. was crowned King George VI and Hamilton, Betty Cator, and Cecilia Bowes-Lyon. was born four years later. Elizabeth became Queen. For them, ■ September 27, 1915 Elder brother, Fergus, the challenge was not simply that of high heels, and ropes of jewels, she completely impossible.” The Queen is killed in action at the Battle of Loos. having inherited the monarchy, but was jeered at and pelted with garbage. Mother responded, “Then I think having done so as World War II Elizabeth soon realized her folly, and I should be thankful you’re not ■ April 28, 1917 Elder brother Michael, also approached. In an effort to avoid dressed more modestly. responsible for me.” serving in the army, is reported missing in action. another war, Elizabeth committed the only overtly political act of her life. After the war, palace life went back What Prince Charles referred to as ■ May 1917 The family learns that Michael has When Prime Minister Neville to normal. But the King’s health Elizabeth’s “effervescent enthusiasm for been captured after being wounded. He remains Chamberlain returned from having was failing, and in 1952, he died. life” also manifested itself in an in a prisoner of war camp for the rest of the war. convinced Hitler to sign a treaty for Elizabeth blamed Simpson for his extravagant love for the finer things peace, she invited him onto the palace ■ 1921 Turns down Prince Albert’s first proposal balcony, a clear breach of protocol, “ The curious thing is that we are not of marriage. as Parliament had not yet voted afraid. I feel that God has enabled on the treaty. us to face the situation calmly.” ■ February 22, 1922 Serves as bridesmaid at the wedding of Princess Mary, daughter of King When war did break out, Elizabeth’s ELIZABETH BOWES-LYON, IN A LETTER TO ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY COSMO LANG TWO DAYS AFTER George V and Queen Mary. role was to give moral support. On EDWARD VIII‘S ABDICATION, DECEMBER 12, 1936 her first visits to London’s East End ■ 1922 Refuses Prince Albert’s second bomb sites, dressed in flimsy pastels, death, believing that if her husband in life—at one point resulting in a proposal of marriage. had not been forced to be King he £4 million ($6 million) bank overdraft. Coronation gowns would not have died so young. But the Queen Mother still had fans ■ January 13, 1923 Accepts Albert’s For her coronation, Elizabeth wore from all walks of life. Never pretentious, third proposal. a silk gown, with pure Later years she remained unapologetically and gold thread embroidery adamantly herself until her last days. ■ April 26, 1923 Marries Prince Albert and in a rose-and- Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, becomes Duchess of York. thistle pattern. following her daughter’s accession, Birthday celebrations Her daughters retained her self-possession. In 1968, The Queen Mother waves to the public on her ■ 1925 Organizes speech therapy for Albert wore white silk when student demonstrators hurled 90th birthday in August 1990. Celebrations were with Australian Lionel Logue. gowns with toilet rolls at her, Elizabeth stopped and began earlier, on June 27, with a parade at Horse cream lace. picked them up, as though someone Guards Parade. ■ April 21, 1926 Gives birth to Elizabeth had misplaced them. “Was this yours?” Alexandra Mary, the future Queen Elizabeth II. she said, turning to a student, “Oh, could you take it?” The students ■ January 6, 1927 Embarks on a six-month-long fell silent. world tour with Prince Albert. Elizabeth could handle politicians ■ August 21, 1930 Gives birth to Margaret Rose. equally well. On one occasion, she asked former Foreign Secretary Lord ■ December 11, 1936 Becomes Queen Elizabeth as Albert accedes the throne on Edward VIII’s Carrington why the Tories had abdication. replaced Prime Minister Margaret ■ May 12, 1937 Is crowned Queen Elizabeth in Thatcher. coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey; He replied, Albert becomes King George VI. “Well, frankly Ma’am, ■ September 30, 1938 Prime Minister Neville toward the Chamberlain appears on the balcony of end she Buckingham Palace on the Queen’s invitation, became following his visit to Hitler seeking appeasement. ■ May 17, 1939 Visits Canada with George VI, who is the first reigning monarch to visit the nation. ■ April 26, 1948 Celebrates 25th wedding anniversary with George VI. ■ February 6, 1952 George VI dies; Elizabeth II becomes Queen. ■ April 1975 Visits Iran, where the people are bemused by her habit QUEEN MOTHER’S of speaking to everyone 80TH BIRTHDAY COIN regardless of status or importance. ■ August 4, 1990 Celebrates her 90th birthday. ■ May 8, 1995 Opens the 50th anniversary Victory in Europe celebrations. ■ August 4, 2000 Turns 100. ■ February 9, 2002 Death of Princess Margaret. ■ March 30, 2002 Dies in her sleep at the Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park. 111



DECISIVE MOMENT January 31–May 11, 1947 The First Tour in Africa The British Empire was disintegrating. With India on the cusp of independence, attention fell on South Africa, with its prodigious sources of gold and diamonds. South Africa had backed Britain during the war, but Anti-British Afrikaners were on the ascendant, among them pro-Nazi racists. The royal tour began with King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret boarding HMS Vanguard. News reels of the voyage include the princesses enthusiastically playing deck games with the sailors, arguably the most relaxed images of the Princess to have been made public. But once on land, the fun stopped. They were welcomed by a crowd of more than 250,000 white South Africans on their arrival in Cape Town on February 17. Colorfully staged encounters with tribal kings followed, including an occasion on which the royal entourage was greeted by hundreds of Basuto tribesmen thundering through the dust on horseback. Commemorative stamps were issued and Princess Elizabeth received gifts of diamonds for her 21st birthday. But despite this elaborate show of South Africa as a model colony, the Royal Family was aware that the reality was very different. Members of South Africa’s Indian community in Natal boycotted the royal tour in protest of the Ghetto Act, designed to curtail Indian ownership of property in white areas. The Afrikaner press was also hostile. Detesting the overt signs of racial separation, and appalled by the authorities opposing him decorating black South Africans for war service, George VI found speech-making increasingly difficult. He referred to the officious Afrikaner police as Gestapo. The Royal Family left for the UK on April 24. Within a year, South Africa had passed apartheid legislation. The impact of her disturbing visit endured, as Elizabeth would go on to show her support for anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela on several occasions. She went so far as to signal her distance from Margaret Thatcher when the British Prime Minister referred to Mandela as a terrorist. “ In view of the disabilities imposed upon… colored peoples, it would be improper… to share the rejoicings of the white of South Africa.” MAHATMA GANDHI, ENDORSING THE BOYCOTT OF THE ROYAL TOUR Into Africa On March 22, 1947, the Royal Family visited the Natal National Park in South Africa. In addition to national parks, the Royal Family also took time to visit game reserves and the Victoria Falls. However, throughout the tour, they were keenly aware of the racial tensions plaguing the country. 113

1911–1947 BEFORE Elizabeth and Philip The first two decades of the They seemed an unlikely couple—the shy, dutiful, and serious Princess Elizabeth and an 20th century saw many of Europe’s monarchs toppled by war and exuberant, outspoken, and penniless exiled Prince Philip of Greece. Although third cousins, revolution. Centuries of dynastic marriage had created a intricately their childhoods could not have been more different. interrelated web of royalty. A t the age of 13, Elizabeth ROYAL MARRIAGES visited the Royal Naval College In 1863 Queen Victoria arranged the marriage at Dartmouth with her parents of her eldest son, the future Edward VII to and sister (see p.106). While there, she Alexandra, eldest daughter of King Christian IX met her royal cousin, 18-year-old of Denmark. By the outbreak of World War I, Prince Philip of Greece. The next time the grandchildren of either Victoria or Christian they met was when Philip came to occupied the thrones of the UK, Russia, watch the Princesses’ performance in Germany, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Norway, the annual Christmas pantomime (see and Romania—closely related monarchs p.107) at Windsor. Shortly afterward found themselves on opposite sides. a photograph of the Prince appeared on Elizabeth’s mantelpiece, and when MATCHMAKER her governess, Marion Crawford, Prince Philip’s uncle, Louis Mountbatten, warned that she was risking gossip, had done much to engineer the match she changed it for one of Philip with a between Elizabeth and Philip, to the extent bushy beard. “There you are, Crawfie, that Philip wrote to him saying “Please, I beg I defy anyone to recognize him in this. of you not too much advice in an affair of the He’s completely incognito.” Following heart, or I shall be forced to do the wooing by the pantomime, they started writing proxy.” Mountbatten had hoped for his name regularly to one another, as Philip to be immortalized in the surnames of the joined the Royal Navy as a cadet. would-be Queen’s descendants. “ His wardrobe Apt match was scantier than that of The son of Prince Andrew of Greece many a bank and Princess Alice of Battenberg, Philip clerk… he moved from place to place, after his had only one family was exiled from Greece in 1922. civilian suit Later, with Nazism on the rise, he left and his socks Germany for Scotland and became one were full of the first pupils to attend Gordonstoun of darns.” school (see p.124, p.162). Philip seems to have taken delight in giving his JOHN DEAN, PHILIP’S VALET address as “no fixed abode” in the visitors’ books of the grand town Elizabeth as a bridesmaid mansions and country estates to which In October 1946, as speculation mounted about their he was invited, often turning up only in relationship, Princess Elizabeth was bridesmaid and what he was wearing—plus a razor. Prince Philip an usher at the wedding of Lord Mountbatten’s daughter Patricia to Lord Brabourne. Outspoken, self-reliant, and unrestrained, with a cheery sense of humor and uncrushable zest for life, Philip was no average young aristocrat. The general opinion was that he was “rather unpolished,” rude, and overbearing. However, for Elizabeth, who was accustomed all her life to fawning and flattery, Philip’s forthrightness and unconventionality came as a breath of fresh air. War hero In July 1943, during World War II, his ship, HMS Wallace took part in the Allied landings in Sicily. Off the coast of southeast Sicily, at the dead of night, the ship came under repeated bombardment. Prone and unprotected, the ship seemed doomed, until Philip came up with a plan to throw overboard a wooden raft with smoke floats to create the illusion of debris ablaze on the water. The German plane was fooled into attacking 114

ELIZABETH AND PHILIP At work “ Elizabeth began to take more Prince Philip undertakes trouble with her appearance and to the role of an instructor play the tune ‘ People Will Say We’re In at the Petty Officers’ Love,’ from Oklahoma.” Training Center at Corsham, Wiltshire, MARION CRAWFORD, ELIZABETH’S GOVERNESS between 1946 and 1947. He became engaged to Princess Elizabeth while working here. the decoy while the Wallace sailed to pants instead escorted the Royal Family from their returned, pale and thin, and so relieved safety. This extraordinary initiative by of plus fours car. The media caught Philip and to get back, that she danced a jig on the Prince Philip helped save many lives. (knickers). A Elizabeth looking at each other deck as the ship, HMS Vanguard, footman revealed affectionately as she moved to steamed into Portsmouth harbour. Beginning of a long liaison to the press that remove her fur coat. With no official his “solitary naval announcement of an engagement, the On July 10, 1947, the long-awaited Back in London after the war, Philip valise” contained speculation in the media increased. engagement of Princess Elizabeth and and his black MG sports car became no spare shoes, pyjamas, or slippers Philip Mountbatten was announced regular visitors to Buckingham Palace. and that his only walking shoes had to As a prelude to the impending coinciding with a garden party being The first occasion he seems to have be taken to the local shoemaker to be engagement, Philip’s uncle, Lord celebrated at Buckingham Palace. invited himself, as he wrote to repaired. It is believed that it was at Mountbatten, had long campaigned Elizabeth afterward apologizing for his Balmoral in 1946 that Philip proposed for Philip to be naturalized. Engagement announcement “monumental cheek.” “Yet however to Elizabeth and she accepted. Initially Mountbatten secured the agreement Elizabeth and Philip stroll on the terrace at contrite I feel,” he wrote, “there is the King and Queen seemed to share of Home Secretary and Prime Minister Buckingham Palace after the announcement of always a small voice that keeps saying the common misgivings about Philip. to Philip’s naturalization in 1946. their engagement in July 1947. The engagement ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’— But as they got to know him, they He was then known as Lieutenant ring is a diamond solitaire set in platinum with well I did venture and I gained a grew to appreciate his direct manner, Philip Mountbatten. Ironically, it five smaller diamonds on each side. wonderful time.” According to Crawford, joshing humor, and love of the turned out that the procedure had Philip did most of his courtship in the countryside. On one occasion Philip, been unnecessary—a law of 1705 AFTER old nursery, at tea time, with Margaret wearing a borrowed kilt, curtseyed to stated that descendents in attendance. She wrote, “Just as there the King, allegedly because the kilt of Sophia of Hanover (mother of With the announcement of Princess was nothing polished about Philip, who was so short that it was the only way George I) were British. Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s often wandered about in his shirtsleeves, of maintaining modesty. Philip was engagement, public interest in the so there was nothing fancy about these fun, an extrovert, a good foil to Separated for a while future Queen’s consort abounded. meals: just fish and some sort of sweet, Elizabeth’s seriousness. CONSPIRACY THEORY washed down with orangeade. After In early October 1946, at the In early 1947, it was decreed that As a descendent of the Greek-Danish royal dinner, it would be high-jinks in the wedding of Lord Mountbatten’s Elizabeth and her sister would dynasty, with his four sisters married to corridors as the three of them played daughter Patricia to Lord Brabourne accompany their parents on a trip German aristocrats, it was inevitable that ball (a good many lightbulbs suffered) at Romsey Abbey, the two got together to South Africa on what was to be a after World War II, conspiracy theories and raced about like a bunch of again. Philip was an usher, and he four-month royal tour (see pp.112–13). about the pro-German (and even pro-Nazi) high-spirited children.” She would be 21 when she returned. sympathies of Philip would arise. The couple wrote to each other Philip and Elizabeth did, however, throughout their separation and occasionally go out together, but Elizabeth put Philip’s photograph on her despite taking care always to be dressing table during the trip. Elizabeth seen in company with other friends, speculation in the press became fevered. Visiting a factory at the age of 19, Elizabeth was hugely embarrassed when the crowd began asking “Where’s Philip?” Shortly afterward, Philip was invited to Balmoral, where he seems to have shocked other guests by brashly going shooting with a borrowed gun, wearing flannel Family portrait The portrait of the Royal Family following the announcement of the engagement of Elizabeth to Philip Mountbatten features (from left to right): Elizabeth, Philip, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), King George VI, and Margaret. 115



ELIZABETH II 1947–1960 St. Edward’s Crown, used during the coronation of a new sovereign

1947–1960 ELIZABETH II 1947–1960 1947 1948 1950 1951 1952 APRIL 21 JANUARY 30, 1948 JUNE MARCH JANUARY 31 Elizabeth celebrates her Assassination of Korean War begins; The Duke of Windsor Elizabeth and Philip are 21st birthday with a Mahatma Gandhi. over 100,000 British publishes his memoirs: waved off on tour of Commonwealth broadcast. soldiers will serve with A King’s Story. Africa by George VI. SEPTEMBER 6, 1948 the multinational JULY 10 Peter Townsend accompanies United Nations (UN) MAY 3 FEBRUARY 6 Buckingham Palace Princess Margaret to the forces until 1953. George VI opens the George VI dies in his announces the engagement coronation of Queen Juliana Festival of Britain—a sleep at Sandringham, of Princess Elizabeth to of the Netherlands. Prince Charles’s showcase for British but Elizabeth is in Kenya Prince Philip of Greece. christening enterprise and and does not learn for APRIL 30, 1948 ingenuity. several hours that she Announcement of Silver wedding anniversary AUGUST 15 is now Queen. the engagement of George VI and Elizabeth. Princess Anne JULY 7 is born. The Duke of Edinburgh FEBRUARY 16 JULY 29, 1948 leaves the Royal Navy Funeral of George VI, London Olympics, which come NOVEMBER to focus on his duties with coffin borne to be known as the Austerity Marion Crawford as consort. through London, Games, commence. publishes The Little then placed in a Princesses. crypt at Windsor. NOVEMBER 14, 1948 Birth of Prince Charles. George’s grieving widow and daughters AUGUST 15 MARCH 12, 1949 JULY 1949 The King loses the title George VI undergoes Elizabeth and Philip of Emperor of India, an operation. move into Clarence following July’s India House, which has been Independence Act; APRIL 28, 1949 extensively refurbished. Pakistan becomes a Foundation of the modern separate nation. Commonwealth with the NOVEMBER 1949 London Declaration. Elizabeth and Philip move NOVEMBER 20 to Malta where Philip is Elizabeth marries Philip stationed with the at Westminster Abbey. Royal Navy. OCTOBER 26 NOVEMBER 4 Winston Churchill Elizabeth attends becomes British State opening of Prime Minister for Parliament, her first the third time. major state function. Princess Elizabeth’s SEPTEMBER wedding procession George VI has a lung removed DECEMBER 25 due to cancer. Stone of Scone, a block of red sandstone placed En route to State Opening under the coronation of Parliament, 1952 chair in Westminster Abbey since 1296 and associated with Scottish nationhood, is stolen. It will be recovered four months later. 118

ELIZABETH II The postwar years brought joy, tumult, and glory to the life of and devotion from Fiji to Fife. She oversaw a period of transition Elizabeth, as she celebrated marriage and motherhood, mourned the for Britain’s international status, all the while managing to balance death of her father and grandmother, and dedicated herself to a life the needs of her family with the demands of monarchy. Meanwhile, of service amid the pomp and circumstance of her coronation. In the Elizabeth’s sister Margaret wrestled with her own agonizing years that followed she would travel the world, inspiring excitement dilemma in choosing between love and duty. 1953 1954 1955 1956 1958 NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 17 MARCH 24, 1956 MARCH 6, 1957 JULY 3, 1958 Elizabeth and UK announces it The Queen Mother’s horse, Gold Coast becomes first End of presenting Philip embark has the H-bomb. Devon Loch, stumbles African colony to gain debutantes at court; on a tour of the within feet of the finishing independence as Ghana. the last deb curtsies Commonwealth. post in the Grand National. to the Queen at OCTOBER 1957 Holyrood, following Tea caddy Queen tours North the final Buckingham commemorating America and meets Palace ball in March. Elizabeth’s visit President Eisenhower. to Australia APRIL 5 APRIL 23, 1956 MARCH 24 Sir Anthony Eden becomes Nikita Kruschev, Soviet Death of dowager PM after Churchill resigns leader, visits the Queen Queen Mary, age 85. due to ill health. at Windsor. MAY 29 Conquest of Everest JANUARY 12 AUGUST 14 by Edmund Hilary Queen Elizabeth Annigoni portrait of the and Tenzing Norgay. opens the New Queen draws massive Zealand parliament. crowds to the JUNE 2 Royal Academy. Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at APRIL 15 SEPTEMBER 18 Westminster Abbey. Queen Elizabeth UK annexes Rockall, and Philip return from a tiny speck of rock in Commonwealth tour. the Atlantic Ocean, in order to preempt Soviet Elizabeth II’s expansion in the region. Coronation Day OCTOBER 31 MAY 6 Margaret announces English athlete that she will not marry Roger Bannister Peter Townsend. breaks the four-minute OCTOBER 1956 First televised Christmas JULY 26, 1958 mile record. Anglo-French forces, which message Commonwealth Games had attacked Egypt after it begin at Cardiff, Wales; nationalized the Suez Canal, DECEMBER 25, 1957 Charles is named are forced to withdraw Queen Elizabeth delivers Prince of Wales. under international the first televised pressure. The debacle Christmas message. APRIL 1959 signals the end of Britain’s Queen Mother and Princess imperial pretensions. Margaret visit Pope John XXIII at the Vatican. JULY 4 Margaret’s doomed JUNE–AUGUST 1959 End of rationing in UK after romance in the news Queen and Prince Philip over a decade of privation. undertake the longest DECEMBER 31, 1956 royal visit ever to Canada, Prince Philip launches partly to open the the Duke of Edinburgh St. Lawrence Seaway. Awards. 119 JANUARY 10, 1957 Harold Macmillan becomes Prime Minister after Anthony Eden’s resignation causes constitutional crisis.

1947–1960 BEFORE The Wedding of Elizabeth and Philip In 1947, two years after the end of the war, and in the wake of the harshest winter in living memory, Britain was held fast in the grip of austerity, with rationing getting worse rather than improving. Most goods were rationed, with coupons Amid the gray austerity of postwar Britain the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to needed to buy clothing, candy, sugar, Philip Mountbatten offered a flash of color and gaiety, triggering a national and gasoline, meat, cheese, butter, lard, global outpouring of celebration... and fascination. margarine, tea, and soap. Gas was restricted by law to use for “essential motoring” and The engagement (see pp.114–15) Spain, the King of Romania, the King vacationing abroad was banned. Prime of Princess Elizabeth to Philip and Queen of Denmark, and the Kings Minister Clement Attlee admitted, “I cannot Mountbatten was announced in of Norway and Iraq. Philip Mountbatten say when we will emerge into easier times.” July 1947, with the wedding planned had not one but two bachelor parties the IN KEEPING WITH THE TIMES In October 1947, new restrictions came for November. Despite a strong school night before the wedding, while the into force. The weekly rationing of meat was of thought that the wedding should be King hosted a dance at the palace for reduced to a single shilling’s worth, low-key, keeping in mind the dismal visiting royalty, which saw the Duke of potatoes were restricted, and the state of national finances, the opposing Devonshire assaulted by an Indian rajah clothing ration was cut. While 32 coupons faction won out. The royal wedding and the King himself lead a raucous had been available would be celebrated with royal pomp conga line through the state apartments. earlier, the allowance for the next five and circumstance, providing, Churchill months was just 20 coupons. declared, “a flash of color on the hard Like any villager in the Dales Against this backdrop, the road we have to travel.” But the King On November 20, the princess CLOTHING relatively RATION BOOK opulent event would bear the bulk of the cost, emerged clothed in a beautiful ivory planned for the Royal Wedding aroused fierce resentment. “Any banqueting and display of paying for it from the income from the satin dress by Norman Hartnell. Like wealth at your daughter’s wedding,” the Camden Town branch of the Amalgamated Crown Estates. other brides, Elizabeth had been Society Of Woodworkers warned the King, “will be an insult to the British people at the present awarded extra clothing coupons to help time. You would be well advised to order a very quiet wedding in keeping with the times.” High society her prepare, but unlike the others, she On the way to the abbey One minor obstacle was the groom’s was able to rely on extravagant gifts The wedding procession advances toward Westminster Abbey. Travelling in the Irish State Coach at the head lack of estate; Philip had abandoned his from family and other sources. Her of the procession is Elizabeth, accompanied by her father dressed in his uniform as Admiral of the Fleet. Greek and Danish royal tiara was a gift from 120 titles on becoming a 10,000 The number her grandmother. naturalized British of pearls Her wedding ring was citizen. On the eve of imported from the US for crafted from a piece the ceremony, King Elizabeth’s wedding dress. of gold sent from George VI bestowed Wales. “There is upon him the honorific “His Royal enough for two rings,” she told Philip, The grand cake The decorations on the wedding cake included the Highness” and awarded him the Order of “We can save a piece for Margaret.” coats of arms of both families, monograms of bride and groom, and regimental and naval badges. the Garter. On the wedding morning, he Some 2,000 guests waited to greet carriage. Elizabeth kept warm with a hot was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of her at Westminster Abbey. Conspicuous water bottle underneath a rug on her lap and her favorite corgi, Susan, Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. The by their absence were Philip’s sisters, alongside her. From there, Philip and Elizabeth went by train to Winchester, King remarked, “It is a great deal to give tainted by Nazi connections, and the to spend the first night of their honeymoon at Broadlands, the country a man all at once, but I know Philip Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who home of Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten. understands his responsibilities.” were not invited (see pp.92–93). The After their honeymoon, their first Wedding guests—an array of surviving service was intended to be as simple home would be Windlesham Moor, in Surrey, while they waited for Clarence royalty from around the world—stayed and unaffected as that of “any cottager House to be refurbished (see pp.122–23). This grand but now rather dilapidated at Claridge’s, including the Queen of who might be married in some small house was near to Buckingham Palace, allowing the King to keep his daughter country church in the Dales this close. At Windlesham Moor they sorted through the eclectic array of afternoon,” gushed the Archbishop of about 3,000 gifts they had received, which included 500 cans of pineapple Canterbury. A huge audience listened in from Queensland, a piece of lace made from yarn Gandhi had spun himself, on radio, and although highlights were and a rabbit tea cozy, two pieces of soggy toast, and a rock from Mt. Snowdon sent televised, television set ownership across by an elderly Welshman. the country was minuscule at that time. Huge crowds surged down the Mall to call for the newlyweds, and especially the King, to come out and greet them. Kept warm by a corgi At the wedding meal for 150 close friends, the cake, made by McVities and Price, was 9 ft (2.74 m) high in four tiers and weighed 500 lb (227 kg). The princess changed into another Hartnell dress—a pale blue number described as “love in a mist”—and the couple was driven to Waterloo Station in an open

THE WEDDING OF ELIZABETH AND PHILIP “It is a far more moving thing to give your daughter away than to be married yourself.” KING GEORGE VI, TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, NOVEMBER 20, 1947 The newlyweds Elizabeth and Philip are seen here posing for a photograph after the wedding. The princess’s ivory duchess satin dress is embroidered with garlands of lily heads and white York roses with orange blossoms and ears of corn. AFTER The marriage of Elizabeth and Philip has withstood the constant scrutiny and pressures of royal obligations. But for some time after the wedding, the focus shifted to Princess Margaret. SPOTLIGHT ON MARGARET With Elizabeth now married, public and media attention soon began to focus on Margaret. On August 21, 1948, she celebrated her 18th birthday with an official “coming out” onto the social scene. For some time now the spotlight would be on the beautiful and glamorous young princess and her prospects for marriage. ENDURING PARTNERSHIP After their wedding, Philip, in a letter to his mother-in-law, stated that Elizabeth “is the only thing in this world which is absolutely real to me.” Elizabeth and Philip would go on SILVER to celebrate their ANNIVERSARY silver anniversary STAMP, 1972 and, later, their golden anniversary. In 2007, they completed 60 years together, making the Queen the first British monarch to celebrate a diamond wedding anniversary 266–67 ❯❯. They celebrated their blue sapphire—65th—wedding anniversary in 2012.

In the library Despite a refurbishment before Prince Charles took residency, on his insistence many of the contents in the House are arranged as they were in Queen Elizabeth’s time, including her books in the library.

CLARENCE HOUSE ROYAL RESIDENCE Clarence House This elegant Georgian residence is attached to St. James’s Palace and shares its gardens. For more than 50 years it was the much-loved London home of the Queen Mother. It is now the official London residence of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. I n the late Georgian period, London entrance from the Mall (the original Restoration had become one of the most entrance was from a public road), and influential cities in the world. It replaced the house’s somber crimson After the death of the Queen Mother was, however, smelly, crowded, and damasks with the pale painted in 2002, the house became the official disorganized. Determined to create a wallpapers then in vogue. When the residence of Prince Charles and his city whose architecture reflected its Duchess died, Queen Victoria’s second sons. It underwent essential renovation growing importance on the world stage, son, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, and redecoration, though great pains the Prince Regent, later George IV, hired took up residence. After his marriage were taken by Prince Charles to use three architects whose remit was to in 1874 to the Grand Duchess Marie sustainable materials and to preserve transform London. The most inspired of Alexandrovna of Russia, the House the style and atmosphere created by these was John Nash, who created was lavishly renovated, receiving a his grandmother. Charles’s main iconic buildings such as Buckingham fourth story and an opulent Orthodox innovation was the formal, organic Palace and Marble Arch, and changed chapel (which no longer exists). garden, which he designed himself the face of the city forever with grand in memory of the Queen Mother. ceremonial boulevards such as the Mall Headquarters of the British Red Cross It incorporates an ancient pear tree and Regent Street. and Order of St. John of Jerusalem and a black mulberry reputed to have during World War Two, Clarence been planted in the time of James I. One of the buildings he created along House was again refurbished in the the Mall was Clarence House, built for late 1940s to make it a family home Use today the Duke of Clarence, who became King for Princess Elizabeth, the Duke of William IV on the death of his brother Edinburgh, and the one-year-old Every year the Prince and the Duchess in 1830. A white stucco Classical Charles. They moved to Buckingham receive thousands of official guests mansion of three stories, it was a far Palace after Elizabeth succeeded to the from this country and overseas, and more restrained and intimate building throne in 1952. bring together people from all walks than Buckingham Palace. William was a of life through seminars and man who shunned pretension and The Queen Mother receptions. On the initiative of Prince formality, and on his accession to the Charles, the house and its garden throne he decided to remain in Clarence In the latter half of the 20th century, are open to the public for one month House instead of moving to Buckingham Clarence House became synonymous every summer. Palace—simply adding a passage to with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen connect it with the state apartments of Mother, who lived there for over 50 House and home St. James’s Palace for ease of access. years. She was an enthusiastic hostess Clarence House is said to have the atmosphere of a of luncheons, evening receptions, and family home, despite its offices for staff and guards Clarence House later became the afternoon teas; and an avid collector outside. The Garden Room, which leads out to the home of Queen Victoria’s mother, and patron of the arts. The house is garden, was created by knocking two rooms together the Duchess of Kent, who added a still decorated with important objects to provide a large entertaining space for Queen Elizabeth. conservatory, created a new private and works of art. THE GARDEN ROOM’S 1945 PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH SUNDIAL IN THE FORMAL GARDEN GUARD OUTSIDE CLARENCE HOUSE 123

1947–1960 Born 1921 The Duke of Edinburgh “ The Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.” PRINCE PHILIP, 1997 B orn in a villa named Mon Repos adopted; in the wake of In uniform on the island of Corfu in Greece, anti-German sentiments Philip, seen here wearing his naval uniform, Philip was the product of the during World War I, had a fairly distinguished naval career. In 1942, tangled 19th-century heritage of Philip’s grandfather Prince at 21 years old, he became one of the youngest European royalty. His family was Louis Battenberg anglicized first lieutenants in the Royal Navy. of German-Danish background, but his name to Mountbatten by a quirk of dynastic fate, he was on request of King George V, Graduating at the top of his class in born a Prince of Greece as well as and in 1946, Philip followed 1940, he embarked on a glittering Denmark. Philip’s full dynastic name suit. Meanwhile, back in though ultimately short-lived naval at this point was Schleswig-Holstein- 1933, just as Adolf Hitler came career. After marrying Elizabeth, Philip Sonderberg-Glucksburg. to power, Philip was sent to went on to take command of a ship of school at a castle in Germany. his own, but was forced to give up his Around the start of the 20th century, Although some members of his career when the princess became Queen monarchies were being widely discarded family—including his sisters— in 1952. Philip bitterly regretted his by nationalist, republican, communist, supported the Nazis, Philip had a retirement from the service—“I’d much and fascist movements. When Philip distinctly antipathetic reaction to their rather have stayed in the Navy, was just 18 months old, his father, ideology. Along with his inspirational frankly,” he said in 1992. Prince Andrew of Greece, and his headmaster, Kurt Hahn, he was chased mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, out of Germany and relocated to By royal appointment were exiled to Paris and relieved of Gordonstoun School in Scotland, their crowns as a result of a coup. This where he excelled. The course of Philip’s life changed made Philip, in the words of his official forever when he struck up a biographer, “nameless, stateless, and In the navy romance with young Elizabeth, penniless” despite his noble birth. whose soft demeanour concealed As World War II loomed, Philip followed a core of steel. At the time of Aged 7, Philip was sent to Surrey, in the footsteps of his illustrious the courtship, the young naval England, to live with his maternal Mountbatten relatives by joining the relatives, whose name he later Royal Navy via cadetship at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. In 1939, when George VI and Queen Elizabeth toured the college, Philip was asked to escort Princess Elizabeth, then only 13 years old, and her sister Margaret. Philip was Elizabeth’s third cousin, since, like most European royalty, he could trace his descent back to Queen Victoria. The Philip Movement Philip is the object of veneration in one of the world’s strangest religions, the Philip Movement, which emerged in the 1960s on the island of Tanna in the South Pacific. Worshipers regard the prince as a divine being and treasure the signed photos he has sent them. 124

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH officer had a raffish reputation and Four-in-hand TIMELINE a fast sports car to match, and there Philip, along with his groom and navigator, was both public and royal opposition drives through a water obstacle at the Lowther ■ June 10, 1921 Born in Corfu, Greece. to the pairing. However, Elizabeth’s ■ 1922 Coup d’etat sees Philip’s family exiled will would not be denied, and Philip Driving Trials in Cumbria in 2005. soon became His Royal Highness The to Paris. Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. Today he is the ■ 1928 Philip is sent to live with the Mountbatten longest serving consort in British royal family in Surrey. history, as well as the oldest ever male member of the British Royal Family. ■ 1933 Goes to Germany to study at a school run by Kurt Hahn. Social blunders ■ 1934 Joins Hahn at relocated school in Alongside his many years of faithful Gordonstoun, Scotland. service as consort, Philip has also pursued passions of his own. He became ■ 1939 Becomes cadet at Royal Naval a skillful carriage driver, helping to College, Dartmouth and escorts Elizabeth formulate the rules of the sport. He on a royal tour of the institution. has also long nurtured an interest in wildlife—both hunting and conserving ■ 1940 Graduates at the top of his class and is it. This contradiction was illustrated in awarded the King’s Dirk and a prize for the best 1961, when in the same year that he Cadet of his entry. was made president of the new World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), he ■ 1940 Joins Royal Navy. sparked controversy by shooting ■ 1941 Participates in the Battle of Cape a tiger in India. Controversy has, Matapan and is mentioned in dispatches. in fact, become one of Philip’s trademarks, particularly his On an official state visit to Papua New can be counterproductive. After the ■ 1943 Strikes up romance with Elizabeth after propensity for gaffes, or watching her in a royal pantomime. social blunders. Guinea in 1988, he asked a British war, Hahn was eager to extend his ■ 1947 Marries Elizabeth after being created student who had trekked across the program across Britain, and Philip Duke of Edinburgh. country, “You managed not to get helped him achieve his vision. ■ 1947 Posted to Malta. ■ 1952 Promoted to commander and given first eaten then?”; after the Royal Variety Philip said, “I could see that command, but retires soon after from service. Performance in 1969 he famously some such ‘achievement-based’ ■ February 1952 Breaks the news to Elizabeth asked singer Tom Jones, “What do you program, without requiring that her father is dead. ■ 1956 Founds the DofE award program. gargle with—pebbles?” He later added: membership, might be a valuable PHILIP ADDRESSES WWF’S SECOND “It is very difficult to see how it is tool for… the development of young INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS IN 1970 ■ 1961 Becomes president of WWF. possible to become immensely people… to respond to Hahn’s four ■ 1986 Lands in hot water on state visit to China after making a remark about “slitty eyes.” valuable by singing what I major concerns about the ■ 2001 Steps down as Chairman of DofE Award program after successfully managing think are the most hideous development of young it for nearly 50 years. ■ 2002 Publishes letters between himself and songs.” Philip is not, people… the decline of Diana, Princess of Wales, to refute allegations that their relationship was strained. however, lacking compassion, the decline ■ 2009 Becomes longest serving royal consort in British history. in self-awareness: of skills, the decline of “Dontopedalogy is the physical fitness, and the science of opening decline of initiative.” your mouth and The program was putting your foot launched in 1956, with in it,” he once told Bronze, Silver, and the General Dental Gold Awards. To earn Council, “a science them, boys needed which I have to achieve targets practiced for a Philip’s monogram in fields as diverse good many years.” Popular with European royalty since the as physical fitness, Victorian era, monograms are used to volunteering, and Encouraging identify and decorate a person’s items. expeditions. Two years the youth Philip’s monogram graces everything later, a DofE program One of Philip’s most from letterheads to handkerchiefs. was introduced for enduring girls. Philip described contributions to public life has been the development of the program: his program for young people—the “I put together a group of women, Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award. and asked them to devise a similar The award grew out of the Prince’s program, which they thought formative experiences with Kurt would be appropriate for girls in the Hahn at Gordonstoun School. Hahn same age groups.” The Awards had initiated an awards program at the soon went international, operating school to encourage young people to in 22 countries by 1966. Today, over set and surpass their own targets for 2 million Awards have been achieved in physical achievement, in line with his the UK alone, and over 7 million young philosophy that while physical people from 132 countries have taken education is paramount, competition part in the program since 1956. “ Prince Philip... has been a constant ■ 2011 Turns 90 and steps down as patron of over a dozen organizations. strength and guide.” QUEEN ELIZABETH, DIAMOND JUBILEE ADDRESS, MARCH 2012 125

1947–1960 BEFORE The Births of Charles and Anne Public excitement about the imminent arrival of a royal Within a year of their marriage, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of baby reached fever pitch in the Edinburgh were celebrating the birth of their first son. In the years days before Princess Elizabeth’s that followed, the couple went on to have another three children. first child was due. A BUZZ IN THE AIR I n the spring of 1948, Elizabeth Racecourse in Surrey. The Princess Crowds of well-wishers congregated and her husband Philip made a duly appeared at the racecourse, and in front of Buckingham Palace as the triumphal visit to Paris, greeted by greeted the crowds with good cheer. delivery day grew near. They were so cheering crowds and prompting French Correspondence flooded in from noisy and excited that Elizabeth’s family newspapers to declare that it was like all over the world, with an became genuinely concerned that the the Norman Conquest (see pp.16–17) avalanche of cards, gifts, clamor would disturb the Princess. in reverse, with the English winning and pregnancy advice. Her parents suggested that she move to over the French this time. Discerning The buggy that had a quieter room overlooking the gardens observers noted that, despite her borne Elizabeth and on the other side of the palace, but she enthusiasm for Parisian horse racing, her sister Margaret refused. Elizabeth insisted, “I want my nightclubs, and shops, the young as infants was baby to be born in my own room, amongst Princess looked tired and needed retrieved from the things I know.” frequent rests. storage and decorated in gender- 33 The number of Later that year, Buckingham Palace neutral yellow, so that, generations in the line confirmed what was widely suspected: said Elizabeth, “No one can of descent from William the Elizabeth was expecting a child. The guess whether we want Conqueror to Prince Charles. announcement was made on Derby a boy or a girl.” Proud parents Day, on June 4, when the famous flat Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh horse race takes place at Epsom Downs The custom is only a custom smile for the camera with Prince Charles after his christening in the Music Room at Buckingham While Elizabeth was nearing full Palace on December 15, 1948. term, her father’s health was declining, along with his 126 grasp of state matters, and his temper became more volatile. Both privately and publicly, the young Princess was moving to center stage as her parents were pushed to the margins. It was clear that Elizabeth would soon be Queen, and the public appetite for news of her and her new family was insatiable. Meanwhile, ministers and courtiers wrestled with a thorny issue: the venerable tradition of ministers attending the birth of a royal heir. This custom stemmed from medieval anxieties about the succession and the provenance of royal babies. It had served as a safeguard against plots to smuggle into the royal birthing chamber babies who were not the legitimate offspring of the monarch, or more precisely, against the risk that others might cast aspersions on the legitimacy of royal heirs. Clearly, this rationale was now antiquated, along with the custom itself. Victoria had modernized it somewhat in the 19th century, by insisting that her ministers wait outside in the

THE BIRTHS OF CHARLES AND ANNE corridor rather than actually being November, when the Canadian was delivered by Sir William Gilliatt, AFTER present at her bedside while she was High Commissioner mentioned to the royal gynecologist, with the help in labor. James Chuter Ede, the Home Sir Alan Lascelles, the top courtier in of forceps. Elizabeth was unconscious After becoming Queen, Elizabeth Secretary, ruled that there was no the Palace, that he was expecting to throughout the labor. As was would go on to have two more constitutional imperative for him to attend the birth alongside the Home customary at the time, she was given children—becoming the first reigning attend the birth, writing, “The custom Secretary and other representatives a powerful anesthetic to induce what monarch to have a baby since the is only a custom… there is no legal of the Dominions. Lascelles realized was known as “twilight sleep,”and birth of Victoria’s youngest daughter requirement for its continuance.” But that, constitutionally speaking, if one which caused amnesia for the labor Princess Beatrice. the traditionalist King, along with the of them were to be present, all the itself. Here Elizabeth was following Queen, felt strongly that the Home others would also be entitled to attend, royal tradition, as her great-great- MORE ROYAL BIRTHS Secretary should attend the birth. so “there would be no less than seven grandmother Victoria had pioneered On February 19, 1960, Elizabeth gave The issue came to a head in early ministers sitting in the passage.” This the use of anesthesia in childbirth birth to Andrew Albert Christian was enough to convince the King that in the 19th century. Edward at Buckingham Palace. She wrote what he now admitted was an “archaic to a friend: “The baby is adorable, and is custom” was obsolete. Lascelles was Philip had been playing squash very good, and putting on weight well. Both relieved, and he later wrote that he while waiting for the news. He arrived, the older children are completely riveted by accompanied by the cheers of the him, and all in all, he’s going to be terribly spoilt by all of us, I’m sure!” Four years later, “Prince Charles, as he is to be on March 10, 1964, the Queen gave birth to Edward Antony Richard Louis, named, is an obedient sitter.” also at Buckingham Palace. CECIL BEATON, PHOTOGRAPHER, DECEMBER 1948 “had long thought that the practice… crowd on the Mall, to meet his new separation because of measles, and less was out-of-date and ridiculous.” son, who was to be named Charles than 18 months later, Elizabeth and The Princess’s labor would Philip Arthur George. The choice of Philip celebrated the arrival of their be a private affair. the name Charles was somewhat second child—a girl. controversial, given the ill-starred Breach of trust fate of a previous English monarch Born at 11:50 a.m. on August 15, of that name (see pp.38–39), but 1950, the new baby weighed exactly Just before the baby was due, Elizabeth and Philip liked the sound 6 lb (2.7 kg). She was named Anne and Elizabeth made a visit to Marion of it. When Charles does come to the was given middle names reflecting her Crawford, her former nanny who throne, he may not necessarily take immediate heritage: Elizabeth after her the title Charles III, since he could maternal grandmother, the Queen; had just retired from royal service choose to reign under a different Alice after her paternal grandmother, after 17 years. In 1948, Crawford name, in similar fashion to his Alice of Battenberg; and Louise after a left the royal household to set up grandfather and great-uncle. great-aunt. The Duke of Edinburgh house with her husband. At this toasted her arrival with champagne, time, she and the Princess were still Charles’s arrival sparked a tidal and after registering her names with wave of correspondence from well- the Westminster registrar, was very close, with Elizabeth confiding wishers, and prompted the Princess to presented with his daughter’s identity in her that she did not fear childbirth: announce that food parcels would be card, ration book, and a bottle of “After all, it’s what we’re made for.” sent to every child in the country born cod-liver oil. Shortly after Anne’s birth, on the same day. The baby Prince was her mother wrote “The baby is quite Unfortunately, relations between christened in December the same year. unlike her brother, so it will be Crawford and the Royal Family were Not long after this, mother and son interesting to see whom she will take soon to turn sour. In a bid to improve had to endure two months of forced after when she is older.” her finances, the former nanny Blessing the new Princess collaborated with journalists on a Princess Elizabeth cradles Princess Anne series of articles for the American while Queen Elizabeth holds Prince Charles on the Princess’s christening press that included what today day in October 1950. seem like harmless reminiscences. The ceremony was To the secretive royals, however, conducted by the this was a traitorous breach Archbishop of York, Cyril Forster Garbett. of trust. The problem was compounded when, in 1950, Crawford’s memoirs of her time as royal nanny were issued as a book titled The Little Princesses. All contact with the former nanny was immediately severed and the breach was never healed. Royal births All this lay in the future, when, at 9:14 p.m. on November 14, 1948, a baby boy weighing 7 lb 6 oz (3.34 kg) Grounded childhood Charles and Anne pose in coats on the Prince’s fourth birthday. The little Prince and Princess can be seen in this attire in many other photos from the time. Their mother insisted on being frugal with clothes at a time of continued rationing. 127



Their happiest time For a few months, Elizabeth was able to live a carefree life as a naval officer’s wife in Malta. The Duke of Edinburgh’s valet recalled: “They were so relaxed and free. I think it was their happiest time.”

1947–1960 Born 1926 public address, to promote the Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Hospital for the Early Years Children in Hackney, east London, a “ I declare... that my whole charitable institution Sticking with tradition life, whether it be long or named after her With a passion for stamps running in the Royal Family, short, shall be devoted mother. There she Elizabeth here is going through her collections in 1946. to your service.” pledged her support Her father George VI kept his stamps in blue binders, for voluntary traditions while her collection is kept in green books. ELIZABETH II, IN HER SPEECH ON HER 21ST BIRTHDAY, 1947 at a time when the fashion was for Commonwealth tour of 1953–54, she Learning to be queen ever-increasing state was away from her young children King George VI prepares his elder daughter intervention in welfare. Charles and Anne for more than six Elizabeth for the role of queen. Here he is Thus she launched months. This was followed in 1956 going through some state papers with what has become a by a three-month period in which her her in a study at Windsor Castle in 1942. central feature of the husband Philip was absent putting the royal project up to the new yacht HMY Britannia through its In childhood Elizabeth was third in present day: the role of “good works.” sea trials, a separation that excited line to the throne, but since it was not Currently, the Crown’s patronage much speculation about their her father but her uncle David who list extends to more than 3,000 marriage. Moreover, when it came to would inherit the crown as Edward VIII, organizations—the Queen alone has her sister Margaret, and the agonizing few could have suspected that she 800. According to British historian choice she faced over marrying Group would ever sit on it. Yet in late 1936 David Cannadine: “charitable activity Captain Peter Townsend (see pp.154– came the abdication of Edward VIII has become the place where the royal 55), the steeliest side of the young (see pp.92–93). “The shock of those culture of hierarchical condescension, Queen’s personality came to the fore. terrible December days was literally and the popular culture of social She bluntly refused to support stunning,” recalled Queen Elizabeth, aspiration, have successfully merged.” Margaret in choosing love over duty. the Queen Mother. Her daughter was now destined to become queen. The Devoted to service A perfect balance new King George VI was very different in character from his flighty and Another early clue to the type of Yet against these examples of a harsh self-indulgent brother, David. George queen Elizabeth would be, came devotion to duty, can be set the VI and his wife would go on to instill in her 21st birthday broadcast to overwhelming evidence of her their values in their daughter. The the Empire (see p.107), made in devotion to family. The Queen’s influence of her parents has been 1947. Recalling the dedication of her Christmas message of 1956 (see evident throughout her reign in ancestors, she told the people she, too, her approach to the role of monarch, would be devoted to their service. Duty forming her overriding characteristics: has become perhaps the overarching an exceptional sense of public service principle of Elizabeth II’s reign, but this married to traditional values. in turn has led to some difficulties in balancing priorities, because alongside Good works being the monarch of several nations and head of the Commonwealth, the Before Elizabeth took the throne Queen has also been a devoted wife, would come the drama and challenges mother, daughter, and sister. of World War II, with her own war service and an increasing public The two sides of Elizabeth have profile. In May 1944, Elizabeth gave a not always been easily reconciled. For instance, during her epic Equestrian love T o get a clear picture of the early Elizabeth II is really fond of horses. In this years of Elizabeth II’s reign, it is photograph, she and the Queen Mother are admiring important to know that she was the greatest flat racehorse Sea Bird II winning the never intended to rule. Her childhood prestigious Epsom Derby in June 1965. was sheltered and insular, and she had regular contact with her parents. Elizabeth and her sister Margaret lived in a little world of their own. In her 1950 book, The Little Princesses, Marion Crawford—“Crawfie,” the governess who stewarded the education and early years of the lives of Elizabeth and Margaret, recalled that their nanny, Clara Wright (known as Alah) “had entire charge in those days of the children’s out-of-school lives—their health, their baths, their clothes— while I had them from 9 to 5. (Alah) had to help her an under-nurse and a nursemaid.” 130

“ We should remember that in ELIZABETH II, THE EARLY YEARS spite of all the scientific advances and great improvements in our TIMELINE material welfare, the family ■ April 21, 1926 Born in London, the first child remains as the focal point of our existence.” of the Duke and Duchess of York, is named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. QUEEN ELIZABETH, CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, 1965 ■ 1936 Death of King George V; Edward, Prince of Wales becomes King Edward VIII; after pp.156–57), for instance, included years and was evidently a a tumultuous year of controversy over his these touching words in respect of strong feature of her early politics and personal life, Edward VIII chooses her husband’s long absence: “You will reign; when asked what he to abdicate. Elizabeth’s father becomes understand me, therefore, when I tell and the Queen talked about King George VI on December 12. you that of all the voices we have at their weekly Tuesday ■ 1934 First meets Philip Mountbatten. heard this afternoon none has given meetings, Winston Churchill ■ 1944 Becomes a Counsellor of State after my children and myself greater joy replied: “Racing mostly.” turning 18, and, following an act of Parliament than that of my husband.” While they the previous year, can now become ruler were still alive, Elizabeth would make Private person without a regent. sure to telephone her mother and The Queen places a lot of value ■ 1945 Joins Auxiliary Transport Service (ATS) as sister every day. on her privacy, despite being subaltern and learns to drive and service trucks. the most famous and possibly ■ November 20, 1947 Marries Philip, who is There is a kind of conflict central most photographed woman made Duke of Edinburgh. to the persona of the Queen between in the world. This official ■ November 14, 1948 Birth of Charles, Elizabeth her public face and her private photograph was released in and Philip’s first child. demeanor. In public, she is widely January 1956 before her ■ August 15, 1950 Birth of Elizabeth’s only perceived as reserved and aloof, but Nigeria tour. daughter Anne. many accounts of her in private paint ■ 1952 Death of George VI. Elizabeth II lays to a picture of a woman with a robust rest her father on February 15 and opens sense of humor. Parliament for the first time on November 4. The Queen prefers to focus on ROYAL COAT OF ARMS OF THE UK her work. At 7 p.m. every weekday evening of the year, except Christmas ■ June 2, 1953 Is crowned Queen; later that year and Easter Day, she receives a red she and her husband embark on a six-month despatch box of state papers to go tour of the Commonwealth. through, which she needs to read and sign where necessary. ■ January 1957 Becomes embroiled in a constitutional crisis over the leadership of the Racing mostly Conservative party—when Prime Minister Anthony Eden had to resign due to the Suez The Queen has long had an Crisis. Elizabeth was advised to choose Harold abiding love of horses and Macmillan rather than and R A Butler. horse racing. She runs a racing stable of her own and has had ■ February 19, 1960 Birth of her second many classic winners. This love son, Andrew. dates back to her teenage ■ March 10, 1964 Birth of her third son, Edward. ■ May 1970 Inaugurates a new tradition of royal tours on a visit to New Zealand. ■ February 6, 1977 Celebrates her Silver Jubilee. Celebrations happened throughout the year. ■ 1979 Assassination of Louis Mountbatten by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on August 27; the Royal Family is devastated. ■ November 1979 The Queen is embarrassed by revelations that the keeper of her pictures, Anthony Blunt, was a Russian spy. 131

Return of the Queen Elizabeth The new Queen steps down from a 24-hour flight from Kenya, arriving at London Airport at dusk on February 7, 1952. Prime Minister Churchill and other statesmen were waiting to meet her. becomes Queen BEFORE Elizabeth’s hopes of a few years of low-profile family life were shattered when the unexpected death of her father propelled her to the throne at King George VI had long been in the age of just 25. declining health. His heavy smoking habit lay at the root of a host of One consequence of the King’s Elizabeth was delighted to accept Access all areas serious illnesses. poor health was that the Palace an invitation to stay at the unique Tickets for admission were issued to the funeral of could not countenance foreign Treetops safari lodge near the George VI, which was held at St. George’s Chapel at FAILING HEALTH tours for the monarch; instead, Sagana Lodge—a house that had Windsor Castle, after a procession had borne the coffin The King suffered from severe artherosclerosis, Princess Elizabeth and her husband been given to the royal couple as through the streets of London to Paddington Station. was afflicted with cancer, and had to undergo would deputize for him. In October a wedding present by the Kenyan a number of operations—one to relieve 1951 they visited Canada and the US, government. The morning after a watchman saw him adjusting nerve pressure that was causing great pain, returning in time to spend Christmas family trip to see the musical South his window around midnight, but and in the fall of 1951, when his lung with the King at Sandringham. The Pacific at the Drury Lane Theatre, when his servant James Macdonald cancer had progressed too far, presence of his daughter prompted the King waved Elizabeth and Philip took in a cup of tea to wake him at the King to rally and he was able to goodbye from the tarmac of London 7:30 a.m. the next morning, the King 42 The number of go shooting and enjoy the festivities. Airport. The Princess would never reigning sovereigns Elizabeth had no cause to think see her father again. of England since William twice about agreeing to undertake the Conqueror. a mammoth six-month tour of the Back at Sandringham, the King Commonwealth, starting in February seemed in good spirits. On February an operation to remove a lung. The King 1952, leaving Prince Charles and 5 he went out shooting, wearing a himself was not told the lung was cancerous; his baby sister, Anne, in the care of specially designed electrically heated instead, he believed it was removed because their grandparents. The tour would vest, and was able to bag nine hares. of a bronchial blockage. officially begin in Ceylon (now Sri That evening he was “in tremendous Lanka), but would be prefaced with form and looking so well and happy,” 132 a romantic stopover in Kenya, where the Queen later recalled. The King went to bed at 10:30 p.m., and a

ELIZABETH BECOMES QUEEN was dead. “There were jolly jokes Funeral train sovereign of England, at the age of AFTER and he went to bed early because he The Royal Train carried 25 she was the youngest monarch was convalescing,” reflected Princess the King’s body from to accede to the throne since 1837, Although kings and queens are Margaret, “Then he wasn’t there any Norfolk to London. His when Victoria acceded at just 18. referred to without a last name, their more.” He had died of a heart attack coffin was taken by gun Elizabeth’s full title depends on which royal houses are named. The choice of early on the morning on February 6. carriage to lie in state at realm is involved, but in the UK she surname for the new Queen’s family Westminster Hall, where would henceforth be styled as Her caused a great deal of dissent. Despite the clear warning signs no 300,000 people paid Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by one had actually planned what to their respects. The train the Grace of God, of the United WHAT’S IN A NAME? do in the event of the King’s death. later went to Paddington, Kingdom of Great Britain and On April 9, 1952, Queen Elizabeth II signed an Macdonald told the King’s wife, and and then Windsor for Northern Ireland, and of Her other order declaring that “she and her children the gamekeepers carried the King’s George VI’s funeral. Realms and Territories Queen, Head of shall be styled and known as the body to the local church, but it was the Commonwealth, Defender of the House of Windsor.” This was in accordance over an hour before a courtier was something similar: “[Elizabeth] had Faith; in Latin: Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia with the strident views of her grandmother, sent to Downing Street to break the climbed up that ladder as Princess; she Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Queen Mary, who had asserted that her bad news to the recently reinstalled was going to have to climb down again Ceterorum Regina, Consortionis Populorum husband had founded the House of Windsor Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, as Queen.” Princeps, Fidei Defensor. In addition she for all time. Philip protested bitterly, a friend of the King. “Bad news?!” holds numerous other titles and lamenting, “I am the only man in the country cried Churchill, flinging aside state Royal aides got wind of the news honors. Examples include: Duke of not allowed to give his name to his children.” of the King’s death from reporters Normandy and Lord of Mann; Member Queen Mary, the first queen ever to see her staying nearby, and furtively tuned grandchild accede to the throne, passed away into the BBC world service to verify 539 MILLION The number on March 24, 1953 at the age of 85. the rumors. They learned that of subjects and citizens Elizabeth had been Queen for at on Elizabeth II’s accession. life.” On February 11, the Royal Train least five hours, much of which she from Wolferton, Norfolk, arrived at and Philip had spent fishing. Royal First Class of the Most Esteemed King’s Cross bearing the body of George equerry Mike Parker broke the news Royal Family Order of Brunei; Grand VI, and was met by members of the to Prince Philip, who responded as Commander of the Order of the Niger; Royal Family. After lying in state at if the world had collapsed on him. and Honorary Companion of Honor Westminster Hall, the coffin was moved He saw immediately that the idyll of with Collar of the National Order of to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, where their life together had come to an end. Merit of Malta. the King’s funeral took place on Philip in turn told Elizabeth, who took February 15. The lord chamberlain Meeting with the accession council snapped his staff of office in two at St. James’s Palace, Elizabeth told and tossed it into the grave. Choosing them, “I pray that God will help me to henceforth to be known as Queen discharge worthily the heavy task that Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, the King’s has been laid upon me so early in my wife thanked the world for their sympathies: “I want you to know how “ A fair and youthful figure, Princess, wife, and your concern for me has upheld me in mother, is heir to our traditions and glories... my sorrow. I commend to you our dear to all our united strength and loyalty.” daughter. Give her your loyalty and devotion: in the great and lonely station WINSTON CHURCHILL, HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEBRUARY 11, 1952 to which she has been called she will need your protection and your love.” papers, “The worst! How unimportant the news, he said, “Bravely, these matters seem.” His private like a queen.” An aide secretary later found Churchill later found her in her weeping, and protesting in relation room, “seated at her desk, to the new Queen that he did not very upright, high color, know her and she was only a child. no sign of tears.” Asked under what name she No sign of tears would rule, she replied without hesitation, “My The child in question was at one own name, Elizabeth, of of the most remote places in the course—what else?” Philip world, in terms of communication. lay on the sofa with a She had spent a delightful night newspaper over his face. filming elephants at the water hole that lay below the branches of the On February 7, Queen great fig tree in which Treetops sat. Elizabeth II arrived back in But, as the visitors’ book records, the UK. The 43rd reigning “For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed Grieving family into the tree a Princess and climbed The Queen Mother, Elizabeth, and down the next day a Queen.” This Margaret—wife and daughters of has become a well-worn cliché, and George VI—in mourning dress, are on it is unclear who coined the phrase. their way to attend the King’s funeral. The new Queen’s lady-in-waiting, Queen Mary was too ill to attend Pamela Mountbatten, wrote the actual ceremony. 133

1947–1960 BEFORE The Queen in ParliamentThreedaysbeforetheQueen’sfirst State Opening, the government was finalizing her speech. Traditionally, and Politics the speech was written on goat skin vellum with ink that took three days to dry. Once written, it could not easily be changed. Today sending the speech to the Palace for approval One of the first of Elizabeth II’s duties as Queen was to attend the State Opening of Parliament. is still known as “going goat.” GUNPOWDER SEARCH Loaded with pomp and pageantry, this event perfectly encapsulates the nature of the British On the morning of the Queen’s first State constitution and the monarch’s vital but precarious part in it. Opening, the Yeoman of the Guard, the Queen’s personal bodyguard, performed proroguing or dissolving Parliament, with memories still fresh of the regicide to summon the Commons. This is a ceremonial sweep of the cellars of and receives weekly briefings on of 1649. Charles I was executed by followed by a great showpiece moment, the palace—a nod to the Gunpowder parliamentary matters. Parliament after tensions over the in which Black Rod walks to the door of Plot of 1605 ❮❮ 38–39. constitutional relationship between the House of Commons, which is King and legislature boiled over into The Crown in Parliament By far the Queen’s best known and Civil War (see pp.40–41). At modern The Imperial State Crown The Queen is head of state most visible role is to attend the annual state openings, the Vice-Chamberlain Originally made for Elizabeth II’s father, this crown of Britain and several other State Opening of Parliament ceremony, is delivered to Buckingham Palace and is worn on state occasions such as the State Opening realms, and her role at the top the ritual that marks the start of a new waits there until the monarch returns. of Parliament. It has three very large stones, and is parliamentary session. The Queen opens set with 2,868 of a constitutional monarchy is at the Parliament in person, and addresses both The royal regalia diamonds. same time fundamentally symbolic, Houses with the Queen’s Speech—a While this goes on, the royal regalia of vital importance, and extremely speech that lays out the legislative are taken from Buckingham Palace delicate. Simply by being at the top programme of her government over to the Palace of Westminster, to of the constitutional “pyramid” she the forthcoming session. Neither House be ready and waiting when the helps to guarantee the rights and can proceed to public business until Queen arrives. Among them are liberties of all her subjects, yet it is The Queen’s Speech has been read. The the Imperial State Crown, which essential that she is scrupulously ceremony articulates the delicate but the Queen wears during the apolitical and visibly remains above time-hardened nature of the British opening ceremony, the Cap “ It is Her Majesty’s pleasure that of Maintenance, which was originally the lining for a crown— given as a gift from the Pope—and they [the Commons] attend the Sword of State, originally made for Charles II, which symbolizes justice her immediately in this house.” and mercy. The crown is taken to the Robing Room to await the Queen. The Queen and the Duke of GENTLEMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD TO PARLIAMENT, NOVEMBER 4, 1952 Edinburgh, escorted by the Household Cavalry, make the 12-minute journey the political fray. In formal terms, constitution, and the Palace itself between the palaces by State Coach, she has the right to be consulted, describes this as “the most colorful with the Queen wearing the George IV to encourage, and to warn her event of the parliamentary year [and] State Diadem. She is greeted with a ministers via regular audiences with also the most important, because it fanfare by the State Trumpeters, and the Prime Minister. Her duties include brings together the three elements of the Royal Standard is raised above the Sapphire, assenting to the passage of laws through the legislature [the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster to signal that linking Parliament, and consenting to the the House of Lords, and the Queen]. the Queen is in residence. The Queen debate of bills that affect the Crown. The ceremony therefore represents the proceeds to the Robing Room to put cross and fleur-de-lis She also has the responsibility for Crown in Parliament.” on the Imperial State Crown and the The theater begins before Her Majesty Robe of State. She then moves on to even leaves Buckingham Palace, where the House of Lords, heralded by another one of the government’s chief whips fanfare, via a staircase guarded by the (a Member of Parliament who serves, “staircase party,” a special detachment for these purposes, in the archaic office of the Household Cavalry, who are the of Vice-Chamberlain of the Household) only troops allowed to draw swords in is offered by Parliament as a symbolic the Houses of Parliament. “hostage,” to guarantee safe return of the sovereign. This ritual is a holdover White wand and Black Rod from days when there was a genuine When the Queen reaches the House edge of jeopardy to relationships of Lords she says “My Lords, pray be between the monarch and Parliament, seated,” which triggers a sequence of events in which the Lord Great En route Chamberlain raises his white wand of Queen Elizabeth II, en route to her first State Opening office, a signal to the Gentleman Usher of Parliament, is wearing the George IV State Diadem. of the Black Rod (commonly known She will change this on arriving at Westminster for the as Black Rod). He serves as the Queen’s Ermine band Imperial State Crown. messenger in Parliament, and it is his job 134

THE QUEEN IN PARLIAMENT AND POLITICS First time on film The 1958 opening marked the first time in history that the sovereign was photographed reading the speech from the throne in the House of Lords. It was also the first time the ceremony was televised. ceremonially shut in his face, to symbolize that the House of Commons is independent of the Crown. Black Rod knocks three times on the door before the command “Open the door” is given, and he is admitted to deliver the Queen’s summons: “Mr. Speaker: the Queen commands this honorable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers.” The Speaker and Black Rod then lead the MPs from the Commons to the Lords to hear the Queen’s Speech. A fixed point watch as she arrived at Westminster. prerogative, choosing between two Wearing a specially made parliamentary candidates for his replacement. Informal The Queen’s first State Opening came on robe of crimson velvet, decorated with soundings were taken by peers and the November 4, 1952. It was her first major gold lace and lined with ermine, she Queen was advised by Churchill; she state event, attracting large crowds to started her first Queen’s Speech with chose Harold Macmillan over R. A. a tribute to her late father. In 2014, Butler, to the surprise of many. A similar Cabochon red she attended her 60th opening—a situation arose again in 1963, when the spinel, known Queen was once again advised to pass as the “Black remarkable record, which has seen over Butler, this time in favor of Alec Prince’s Ruby” her miss just two: in 1959 when Douglas-Home. pregnant with Prince Andrew, and in 1963 when pregnant with AFTER Prince Edward. During her reign she has held weekly meetings After the Queen leaves Parliament with 12 prime ministers, to return to Buckingham Palace, outlasted 12 US presidents, and all the Royal Standard is replaced the general secretaries of the by the Union Flag over the Palace of Westminster. Communist Party of the Soviet Union, witnessed white smoke coming from THE OUTLAWRIES BILL the Vatican six times, and seen the The parliamentary session begins, but building and tearing down of the Berlin instead of immediately moving to debate Wall. It is often said that one of the great the Queen’s Speech, both MPs and Lords values of her role as constitutional introduce in their respective chambers monarch is that she offers a fixed point, what is known as the Outlawries Bill, stable in a world of constant change. a symbol of the autonomy of both houses Although the Queen is kept thoroughly from the monarch. Purely ceremonial, informed about government business and the bill is not taken forward and members politics, it is important that she does not are then able to debate the Queen’s Speech get involved in making political decisions. and agree an “Address in Reply to Her When it looks as though she has or Majesty’s Gracious Speech.” might, constitutional crisis threatens. Perhaps her greatest constitutional crisis came in January 1957 when Prime Minister Eden resigned in the wake of the Suez crisis (see pp.118–19) and the Queen had to exercise her royal Cushion-shaped Prime Minister’s Cullinan II diamond briefing The Queen meets with her Prime Minister once a week. Here she is photographed meeting with Tony Blair in 2002. Her favorite prime minister was probably Winston Churchill— she even went to Downing Street for his farewell dinner. 135

1947–1960 1 ASCOT LANDAU 2 1902 STATE LANDAU Three gilded cherubs, representing England, Scotland, and Ireland, support the Imperial Crown 3 GLASS COACH One of four tritons, one on each corner, representing Britain’s imperial power All carvings by English sculptor Joseph Wilton (1722–1803) 4 GOLD STATE COACH Panels by Italian painter Giovanni Cipriani (1727–85) Brace, covered with Morocco leather, bears weight of coach 136

5 DIAMOND JUBILEE CARRIAGES AND COACHES STATE COACH Gilded crown, carved from oak from Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, is hollow and contains a video camera to film the crowds Hydraulic stabilizer Electric window Fasces crowned with a trident, both Brake symbols of imperial authority, are carried by each rear triton 6 AUSTRALIAN STATE COACH Gilded brake Carriages Ornately carved wheel and Coaches More than 100 carriages and coaches, maintained at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, provide horse-drawn road transportation for the Royal Family. They are used for weddings, coronations, and royal and state occasions. 1 Ascot Landaus These light carriages—driven by a since George IV. Weighing four tons and pulled by eight postilion mounted on one of the drawing horses—are used horses, it is the most elaborate and unwieldy of all Royal each year at the Royal Ascot race meeting. At the wedding coaches. Queen Victoria complained of the “distressing of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the bridesmaids oscillation” of its ride. 5 Diamond Jubilee State Coach traveled by Ascot Landau. 2 1902 State Landau This was This was as a private project originally conceived by built for the coronation of Edward VII in 1902. Since it is Australian W. J. Frecklington to celebrate the Queen’s 80th open-topped, passengers are clearly visible, making it a birthday. It incorporates historic fragments, including wood popular choice for Royal Weddings. 3 Glass Coach One of from Sir Isaac Newton’s apple tree and Henry VIII’s warship the principal state carriages of the British Monarch, it was Mary Rose. It entered service in 2014. 6 Australian State built in 1881 and purchased by the Crown for the coronation Coach Designed by Frecklington in 1988 for the Australian of George V in 1911. 4 Gold State Coach Built in 1762, it Bicentennial, this enclosed coach incorporates contemporary has been used at the coronation of every British monarch comforts, such as heating and hydraulic stabilizers. 137



Rain on the parade Representing one of the new Queen’s realms, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police participate in the Coronation Day parade on June 2, 1953. Vast crowds turned out despite the gloomy weather.

1947–1960 BEFORE The coronation dress would reflect the realms and dominions of the Crown and Commonwealth, but the real heavyweight piece of the Queen’s ensemble would be the purple Robe of Estate. FIT FOR A QUEEN For the coronation the Queen asked Norman Hartnell to make a white satin dress similar to her wedding gown. His design incorporated delicate embroidery of the symbols of the many different countries of the United Kingdom. The Queen, mindful of her wider estate, asked him to include symbols of the Commonwealth: Canadian maple and New Zealand fern, jute, cotton, and wheat for Pakistan. Meanwhile, heroic labor—3,500 hours in total—was undertaken by a team of 12 seamstresses from the Royal School of Needlework, stitching 21 ft (6.5 m) of purple silk velvet to make the Robe of Estate, which was edged in ermine and embroidered with gold. FROM THE ROOF OF THE WORLD Just as these efforts were about to bear fruit, a different kind of heroism was played out on the other side of the world. On the morning of the coronation, news began to filter through of a great feat: Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary had reached the summit of Everest. “Collectively and acting in unity the men of the Empire can conquer everything,\" observed the Evening Standard, reflecting on the symbolism of the ascent. Ticket to the main event Arrival at the abbey Lady Godfrey-Faussett was one of the ticket-holders to The Queen entered the abbey through a the abbey itself. The guests included prime ministers purpose-built, temporary annex, her train supported and heads of state from the Commonwealth and by six maids of honor under the instruction of the foreign royalty, both reigning and non-reigning. Mistress of Robes, the Duchess of Devonshire. 140

THE CORONATION The Coronation AFTER Although the weather was in contrast to the glory of the occasion, nothing could dampen the The cultural impact of the coronation fervor of the crowds lining the processional route nor the enthusiasm of a global audience was immediate and enduring. The granted access to an event that combined tradition, reverent solemnity, and genuine joy. event helped change the way the British consumed their media and B y 1953 Britain was beginning to their chicken, and triggered an emerge from the grip of postwar avalanche of memorabilia. austerity, and the coronation of a new Queen offered a bridge between MARKING THE OCCASION past and future. The ancient and Immediately after the coronation, the Queen solemn traditions of the coronation hosted a luncheon featuring a dish concocted ceremony promised to combine with especially to mark the occasion. This Rosemary the excitement and glamour offered Hume and Constance Spry recipe—initially by the youthful monarch, a glorious called poulet reine Elizabeth—came to be alchemy to usher in the start of a known as Coronation Chicken. In addition to new Elizabethan age. The application chicken, the dish incorporated curry powder of technology would bring the pomp and other spices to reflect the culinary and circumstance of the event to heritage of the Commonwealth. Other a vast audience with an immediacy cultural outpourings included a vast range of incomprehensible to previous celebratory memorabilia, from porcelain generations, thanks to the eventual sets to toy coronation carriages. decision to televise the coronation. BROADCASTING TO THE WORLD Sweet celebration favor of it, Churchill, the Archbishop The crowning moment After lunch, the Queen appeared on the balcony of Canterbury, and others were The coronation ceremony began interspersed at Buckingham Palace, still wearing the Imperial On the day of the coronation, street opposed. But the televising of with the gleeful chorus of the assembled masses: State Crown, while RAF aircraft performed a parties would be held across the land Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding had set “God save Queen Elizabeth Long live Queen flypast. That evening she made a radio and civic bodies such as schools and a precedent and public clamor was too Elizabeth! May the Queen live forever!” broadcast: “Throughout this memorable churches would mark the occasion. great to be ignored, so it was agreed day I have been uplifted and sustained by the Churchill's enthusiasm for the that only the most solemn parts of the Into the abbey knowledge that your thoughts and prayers were coronation was boundless and he coronation—the anointing and the with me. I have been aware all the time that my incited his government to plan a lavish communion—would not be filmed. At 11 a.m. the Queen arrived at the peoples, spread far and wide throughout every national party on unprecedented scale Over the objections of ministers, it was abbey in the Gold State Coach, continent and ocean in the world, were united (the cost of the coronation would agreed that the ceremony would be accompanied by the Duke of to support me in the task to which I have now eventually come in at around £2 broadcast live on radio and television Edinburgh in his uniform as Admiral been dedicated with such solemnity.” She million [$5.6 million]), horrifying civil around the world and interpreted in of the Fleet. She was wearing the continued, “Therefore I am sure that this, my servants by decreeing that everyone 44 different languages. George IV State Diadem. St. Edward’s Coronation, is not the symbol of a power and should receive an extra pound of sugar Crown, which would be used for the a splendor that are gone but a declaration of in their ration. Sweet rationing would coronation itself, had preceded her our hopes for the future, and for the years I end the day before the coronation, on into the abbey. At 11:15 a.m. a great may, by God’s Grace and Mercy, be given to Churchill’s orders. Perhaps partly in procession of dignitaries, foreign and reign and serve you as your Queen.” recognition of his enthusiasm for the domestic, clergy, and peers entered the event, Churchill was made Knight of abbey through the Great West Door, TELEVISION REVOLUTION the Order of the Garter the day before. followed by the Queen with her maids The televising of the coronation helped of honor and the Mistress of the accelerate the existing boom in television “ The coronation was like Robes. Once she had reached the altar, ownership. One notable casualty was a the Queen was seated in the Chair 3-D film of the coronation created a phoenix-time.” of Estate while the coronation props by Pathé News, for which there was little were assembled. She curtsied to appetite at movie theaters. PRINCESS MARGARET each corner of the congregation. Now the ceremony could begin CORONATION SOUVENIR CONFECTIONERY TIN On January 1, 1953, Westminster On the day of the coronation, June 2, a (see pp.142–43). After the Abbey was closed for preparations for quarter of the world’s population took coronation, a procession of 141 the coronation. Overseeing the details the day off in celebration. Despite 16,000 people made their way of the ceremony was the Earl Marshal, persistent drizzle, crowds had camped back along the 5 mile (8 km) route the Duke of Norfolk (by ancient out overnight along the route of the to Buckingham Palace, taking two tradition the premier nobleman in procession to secure the best views. hours. Already, film from the cameras the land). His wife stood in for the Carriages, most of them closed, inside the Abbey was winging its way Queen during two major dress brought dignitaries to the abbey to to Canada, where it would begin to be rehearsals, watched by Elizabeth, who join the 8,000 guests, including the broadcast within four hours of the conducted her own rehearsals in the peers of the realm decked out in their end of the ceremony. palace. The major controversy arose ceremonial dress. After the ceremony, over whether or not the coronation to the delight of the crowd, Queen should be televised. While Prince Salote Tupou III of Tonga would defy Philip, Chairman of the Coronation the weather and leave the top of her Commission, may well have been in carriage down, wielding a large parasol.



DECISIVE MOMENT June 2, 1953 The Coronation Ceremony In a moving ceremony, replete with ancient traditions, Elizabeth offered solemn oaths, was anointed with holy oil, and received the crown of her ancestors. The service was laden with the physical and metaphorical weight of royal emblems. As the coronation ceremony moved to its climax, Elizabeth, having arrived at the altar, was seated on the Chair of Estate, or the Coronation Chair. She read the coronation oath and took Holy Communion. The most significant part of the ceremony was the anointment. Hidden behind a silk canopy, the Queen was daubed with blessed holy oil, containing oil of orange, rose, musk, cinnamon, and ambergris—a rare material created in the digestive system of sperm whales. Traditionally, this oil was drawn from a supply dating back to previous sovereigns, but preparations for the 1953 coronation revealed that the last phial had been destroyed in bombing raids on London during World War II. Unfortunately, the pharmacy that made the oil had gone out of business, and it looked as though the recipe might have been lost. But the Coronation Commission was able to locate perhaps the last man from the pharmacy, an elderly person who had kept few ounces of the oil as memento, and he mixed up a batch. After the annointment, the Queen was dressed in the imperial vestments and handed the trappings and regalia of state. She put on a cloth-of-gold robe, called the Supertunica, over the Colobium Sindonis, a loose linen tunic. She was then presented with the golden spurs, symbolic of chivalry, and a jeweled sword. These were followed by the armills (gold bracelets), representing sincerity and wisdom. Elizabeth then put on the cloth-of-gold Imperial Mantle robe and received the Sovereign’s Orb and the two scepters: the Scepter with the Cross, symbolizing temporal power under God, and the Scepter with the Dove, representing equity and mercy. Finally, she was crowned with the solid gold St. Edward's Crown, although for the regalia portrait shown here, it was swapped for the Imperial State Crown. “ I here present unto you, Queen Elizabeth, your undoubted Queen.” GEOFFREY FISHER, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, DURING ELIZABETH II'S CORONATION, JUNE 2, 1953 Iconic picture This famous coronation portrait by photographer Cecil Beaton was shot inside Buckingham Palace after the Queen had returned from her coronation service. A painted backdrop of Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey was used to create atmosphere. 143

1947–1960 Coronation Dress Fleur de lys Contemporary fashion and ancient tradition came together at Elizabeth’s coronation, with dresses created by fashion designer Norman Hartnell, and 1 THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S CORONET robes and regalia by Ede & Ravenscroft, royal tailors since 1689. Collar of 1 The Duke of Edinburgh’s coronet Created by Ede & reflects the white and gold scheme worn by the royal ladies. the Order Ravenscroft, the coronet consists of a silver gilt circlet with 4 The Halo Tiara Commissioned from Cartier in 1936 by of the Garter alternating crosses and fleur de lys, and a cap of ermine- King George VI, the tiara was given to Elizabeth on her fringed crimson velvet, with a gold tassel in the center. 18th birthday. Princess Margaret wore it to the Coronation. 2 The Duke of Edinburgh’s uniform with coronation 5 St. Edward’s Crown This crown of gold is studded with robe An Ede & Ravenscroft creation, the robe was sapphires, tourmalines, amethysts, topazes, and citrines, and worn over the full dress uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, weighs 41/4lb (2.23kg). 6 Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation including the star, collar, and badge of the Order of the dress and robe Designed by Hartnell, the dress has national Garter. 3 Princess Margaret’s dress and robe Designed by and Commonwealth floral emblems embroidered on it in Norman Hartnell, Princess Margaret’s dress is distinctive, yet gold, silver, and pastel-colored silks. Tiara studded Enameled blue garter with with 739 brilliant and a red rose alternates with a 149 baton diamonds double gold knot 4 THE HALO TIARA Openwork design of 2 THE DUKE OF broderie anglaise EDINBURGH’S UNIFORM WITH CORONATION ROBE Marguerites and roses, embroidered in silver thread, in reference to the Princess’s name, Margaret Rose Robe of purple velvet, trimmed with ermine 3 PRINCESS MARGARET’S DRESS AND ROBE 144

Robe embroidered with wheat ears CORONATION DRESS and olive branches, representing peace and prosperity 5 ST. EDWARD’S CROWN The neckline, together with the inverted “V” of the short sleeves, each tier, and the edge of the skirt, was bordered with alternating lines of gold bugle beads, diamantes, and pearls FULL VIEW OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S 6 QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S CORONATION ROBE CORONATION DRESS AND ROBE Red silk-velvet robe White satin skirt constructed with a trimmed with ermine backing of reinforced cream taffeta to support the heavy embroidery Ermine-trimmed robe of English purple silk-velvet; over 21 ft (6.5 m) long, with six hidden handles to make it easier for the maids of honor to carry

NORWICH GATES, 1952 ST. MARY MAGDALENE’S CHURCH ANMER HALL SHOOTING PARTY, C.1910 146

SANDRINGHAM ROYAL RESIDENCE Sandringham The house at Sandringham stands on a 20,000-acre (8,000-ha) estate in an area of outstanding natural beauty near the coast of Norfolk. It was bought by Queen Victoria in 1862 as a wedding present for the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII, and his new bride, Princess Alexandra. Sandringham House A lthough the Sandringham estate English races the St. Leger and the of the estate houses, York Cottage, Dating from 1870, the country house built for included a substantial Georgian Derby in 1896, and Diamond Jubilee, where his happiest times were spent Albert, the Prince of Wales, and Princess Alexandra mansion, it was too small for which won the 1900 Triple Crown. with his grandparents. It was he who was described by their friend Charles Carrington Albert and Alexandra, and they had it The Prince plowed his prize money planted Sandringham’s first apple as “the most comfortable house in England.” demolished. It was replaced in 1870 into the estate, creating a vast walled orchards—the estate is now famous with a multiple-gable, red-brick, kitchen garden. This has been recently for its apple juices. He also turned a Jacobean-style country house. revived to produce vegetables for the bomb crater on the estate, created Sandringham Visitor Center restaurant. during the first German Zeppelin raid The facilities were cutting-edge for in January 1915, into a duck pond. the time, and included gas-lighting, Both Albert and Alexandra were flushing toilets, and a shower. passionate about hunting on the Since her father’s death, it has There were large reception rooms Sandringham estate, so much so been the Queen’s custom to spend for formal and family occasions, but that in 1901, Albert, now crowned the anniversary privately with her the everyday living quarters were Edward VII, ordered all the clocks to family on the estate. modest by comparison. Plenty of space be set half an hour ahead of GMT was even provided for the family (Greenwich Mean Time), to increase Public viewings menagerie of dogs, cats, and horses. the amount of daylight at the end of the day in winter for hunting. The Sandringham was first opened to Sandringham suited Princess tradition of “Sandringham Time” the public in 1977. Between April Alexandra and her five children continued until 1936. and October, when the Royal Family very well, which compensated in part is not in residence, several of the for the long absences and infidelities of In 1932, under George V, a new reception rooms on the ground her husband. Geographically, it lies in Sandringham tradition was born: he floor are made accessible. a fascinating part of England. It was made the first live radio broadcast once part of Doggerland, the land to the Empire from the house on The decoration of the rooms and bridge that linked Great Britain and Christmas Day. Queen Elizabeth their furnishings have changed little Scandinavia before the last Ice Age. continued the tradition 20 years later, from the time of Queen Alexandra Its similarities to Princess Alexandra’s but made history again in 1957 when and Queen Mary, wife of George V. native Denmark are therefore no she invited the nation into the Library Lavish gifts from members of the coincidence, and it is perhaps why at Sandringham in the first live Russian and European royal families, she felt at home here. televised Christmas Day broadcast. who were frequent guests of the royals at Sandringham, are on display, In 1886 Edward established the Private times including a Dresden porcelain Royal Stud at Sandringham, and chandelier and mirror frame from he soon became one of the most For Elizabeth, Sandringham holds Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. ❯❯ influential breeders in the country, particular significance. Her father, producing two legendary racehorses: George VI, was born on the estate and Persimmon, which won the famous he also died there. He grew up in one DAIMLER MAIL PHAETON CAR Snapshots from the estate Owned by the Royal Family for over 150 years, Sandringham has been a much-loved home to four British monarchs—and with the move of Prince William and his young family to Anmer Hall, a new generation are set to enjoy life on the estate. The Queen particularly likes to spend Christmas at Sandringham, and traditionally joins the celebration at the church of St. Mary Magdalene, within easy reach of the house. The spectacular wrought- and cast-iron Norwich Gates designed by Thomas Jekyll were a wedding gift to the future Edward VII from the County of Norfolk and City of Norwich. Edward (here seated at the wheel of the car) was very attached to the estate, and indulged his love of country pursuits by hosting regular shooting parties. Today visitors can inspect vintage royal vehicles at the Sandringham Museum, and stroll through the grounds, which are home to over 100 species of bird, including colorful pheasants. LADY AMHERST’S PHEASANT 147

1947–1960 ❯❯ The walls of these rooms are hung vintage cars, the highlight being the many species of wildlife as possible. After Prince William announced his with family portraits by the leading Daimler Phaeton bought by Edward With the Prince’s eye always on role with East Anglia’s Air Ambulance court painters of the time. An VII. He was the first British monarch conservation, more than 5,000 trees in 2014, he and the Duchess of important collection of oriental arms to own a car—but it is not known and several miles of hedges are planted Cambridge decided to make Anmer and armor is housed at Sandringham, whether he could drive. each year, and 10 wetland areas have Hall on the Sandringham estate their brought back from the Far East and been created. family home. The Georgian mansion India in 1876, the year of Prince Sandringham is run by the Royal was a wedding present, and a house Albert’s tour (see pp.72–73) and a Family as a modern estate. When the The estate features 198 acres (80ha) William knows well from his special exhibition of them in the Queen acceded to the throne in 1952, of orchards and soft fruits—including childhood, when it was leased to his Ballroom is changed every year. Prince Philip was made responsible the black currants that Sandringham father’s friend Hugh van Cutsem. They for its running, and it is only recently grows for the soft drink brand Ribena. moved in after some refurbishment A recent innovation beside the and additions, including a conservatory “Dear old Sandringham, the place orchards is an experimental organic designed by architect Charles Morris, I love better than anywhere in black truffle plantation. The ground who also did work at Highgrove. the world.” conditions at Sandringham are thought to be ideal for oak and hazel trees Vintage views of Sandringham KING GEORGE V infected with truffle spores, while it is Photographs taken in the 1880s show grand rooms hoped that staff at the Sandringham at Sandringham, such as the Saloon and the Dining The estate museum, in the former that the day-to-day management has kennels will be able train truffle- Room, which were crammed with memorabilia from royal coach houses and stable block, holds begun to be handed over to Prince hunting dogs. trips abroad as well as gifts from foreign dignitaries. an extraordinarily diverse collection. Charles. Most of the crops are still Many of the interiors are lit by natural light streaming George V used the museum to gather farmed conventionally, but there is a Sandringham Country Park was through bay windows: Queen Mary’s desk, covered with together all his big game trophies from gradual move over to organic farming. first opened to the public in 1968. family photographs, occupied a bright alcove. his other royal residences. There are Practices are designed to encourage as An area of woodland and open heath, it has been enlarged to cover 600 acres (240ha) and comes with two signed nature trails. THE DINING ROOM, 1880 QUEEN’S MARY’S DESK THE SALOON, 1882 148