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Queen’s life in pictures: Growing up Royal

Fay Gould
1 min read·September 12, 2022 - 2:00PM
News Corp Australia Network

When Princess Elizabeth was born there was little expectation that she would ever be crowned Queen, but dramatic events when she was just 10 would change the course of her life forever.

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926 to the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Picture: AFP
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926 to the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Picture: AFP
Known affectionately as “Lilibet”, the young Elizabeth – pictured here in 1928 – was not expected to ascend to the throne, with her uncle Edward first in line to succeed her grandfather King George V. Picture: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis
Known affectionately as “Lilibet”, the young Elizabeth – pictured here in 1928 – was not expected to ascend to the throne, with her uncle Edward first in line to succeed her grandfather King George V. Picture: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis
The Queen’s love of horses has been a constant throughout her life and even as a two-year-old she looked thrilled to take the reins, albeit on a toy horse. This picture from May 1928 is attributed to her father.
The Queen’s love of horses has been a constant throughout her life and even as a two-year-old she looked thrilled to take the reins, albeit on a toy horse. This picture from May 1928 is attributed to her father.
In May 1930, Princess Elizabeth’s mother took this shot of the youngster looking confident on a Shetland pony led by her father, the then Duke of York.
In May 1930, Princess Elizabeth’s mother took this shot of the youngster looking confident on a Shetland pony led by her father, the then Duke of York.
A young Elizabeth takes part in a society wedding in Sussex, England. Her cousin Margaret Rhodes reportedly recalled the future Queen as “a jolly little girl but fundamentally sensible and well behaved”. Picture: Getty
A young Elizabeth takes part in a society wedding in Sussex, England. Her cousin Margaret Rhodes reportedly recalled the future Queen as “a jolly little girl but fundamentally sensible and well behaved”. Picture: Getty
The Duchess of York poses with her daughters Elizabeth and Margaret in the garden of the Royal Lodge at Windsor in June 1936, just a few months after the death of King George V, which saw Elizabeth’s uncle take the throne as King Edward VIII. Picture: Hulton/Archive
The Duchess of York poses with her daughters Elizabeth and Margaret in the garden of the Royal Lodge at Windsor in June 1936, just a few months after the death of King George V, which saw Elizabeth’s uncle take the throne as King Edward VIII. Picture: Hulton/Archive
The course of Elizabeth’s life changed forever with the abdication of King Edward VIII on December 11, 1936. The coronation of her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, took place on May 12, 1937, and Princess Elizabeth was next in line to the throne.
The course of Elizabeth’s life changed forever with the abdication of King Edward VIII on December 11, 1936. The coronation of her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, took place on May 12, 1937, and Princess Elizabeth was next in line to the throne.
Despite the pressures of royal life, the two princesses did enjoy some typical childhood activities. Margaret joined the Brownies, while her big sister became a Guide. Picture: Getty
Despite the pressures of royal life, the two princesses did enjoy some typical childhood activities. Margaret joined the Brownies, while her big sister became a Guide. Picture: Getty
Elizabeth poses with her nine-year-old sister for her 14th birthday portrait in April 1940. Some months earlier, aged just 13, she met the man who would be her future husband for the first time, reportedly describing the 18-year-old Philip as looking “like a Viking god”. Picture: Getty
Elizabeth poses with her nine-year-old sister for her 14th birthday portrait in April 1940. Some months earlier, aged just 13, she met the man who would be her future husband for the first time, reportedly describing the 18-year-old Philip as looking “like a Viking god”. Picture: Getty
Margaret and Elizabeth work on paintings in the school room of Buckingham Palace. Their education was initially limited and supervised by their governess, but Elizabeth’s grandmother Queen Mary later stepped in to ensure she instructed in constitutional history by the vice provost of Eton, Henry Marten. Picture: Getty
Margaret and Elizabeth work on paintings in the school room of Buckingham Palace. Their education was initially limited and supervised by their governess, but Elizabeth’s grandmother Queen Mary later stepped in to ensure she instructed in constitutional history by the vice provost of Eton, Henry Marten. Picture: Getty
The Royal family are pictured in 1940, with the two princesses typically dressed alike. Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast that same year, addressing children of the Commonwealth displaced by the war on the BBC’s <i>Children’s Hour</i>. After sympathising with their plight, she said the children still at home were full of courage. “We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant airmen, soldiers and sailors and we are trying to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war,” she said. “And when peace comes remember it will be for us the children of today to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.” Picture: Getty
The Royal family are pictured in 1940, with the two princesses typically dressed alike. Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast that same year, addressing children of the Commonwealth displaced by the war on the BBC’s Children’s Hour. After sympathising with their plight, she said the children still at home were full of courage. “We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant airmen, soldiers and sailors and we are trying to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war,” she said. “And when peace comes remember it will be for us the children of today to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.” Picture: Getty
The growing princesses are pictured with their parents in this undated photo. When Elizabeth turned 18 in 1944 her father insisted she be made a counsellor of state, normally something that did not happen until the age of 21. The position meant the King could delegate certain state functions and powers to his daughter, for example when he was overseas. Picture: AFP
The growing princesses are pictured with their parents in this undated photo. When Elizabeth turned 18 in 1944 her father insisted she be made a counsellor of state, normally something that did not happen until the age of 21. The position meant the King could delegate certain state functions and powers to his daughter, for example when he was overseas. Picture: AFP
As World War II continued, Princess Elizabeth finally persuaded her reluctant father to allow her to join the war effort, and in early 1945 she entered the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, training as an Army truck driver and mechanic and rising to the rank of Junior Commander.
As World War II continued, Princess Elizabeth finally persuaded her reluctant father to allow her to join the war effort, and in early 1945 she entered the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, training as an Army truck driver and mechanic and rising to the rank of Junior Commander.
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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/world/queens-life-in-pictures-growing-up-royal/news-story/17827ac2df091e6a527de78a95ad4409