Princess Elizabeth in Wartime

Visiting Airborne Forces, 19 May 1944
Visiting Airborne Forces, 19 May 1944

The Queen and Princess Elizabeth talk to a camouflaged sniper during a visit to Airborne Forces. Princess Elizabeth carried out her first public engagement in 1943 aged 16. She accompanied the King and Queen on many of their tours around the UK.
Visiting Airborne Forces, 19 May 1944
Visiting Airborne Forces, 19 May 1944

Princess Elizabeth watching parachutists dropping in preparation for the Normandy Landings. On her visit to Airborne Forces in May 1944, Princess Elizabeth met airborne troops who would play a key role in the operation.
Princess Elizabeth at the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) Training Centre
Princess Elizabeth at the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) Training Centre

Princess Elizabeth (centre) with officers of the ATS Training Centre. Princess Elizabeth joined the ATS in 1945 at the age of 19. Her father was initially against her undertaking national service. However, Elizabeth persuaded him to change his mind.
Princess Elizabeth, Second Subaltern in the ATS
Princess Elizabeth, Second Subaltern in the ATS

After joining the ATS, Princess Elizabeth trained as a driver and mechanic with the rank of Second Subaltern. Five months later she was promoted to Junior Commander, which was the equivalent of Captain.
The Royal Family on VE Day, 8 May 1945
The Royal Family on VE Day, 8 May 1945

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and Winston Churchill, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. On VE day, the Royal Family appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to acknowledge the crowds celebrating below.

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IWM London
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5.45pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

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Special exhibitions may charge an admission fee
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IWM Duxford
Cambridgeshire
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HMS Belfast
London
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We are closed 24, 25, and 26 December
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Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
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IWM North
Manchester
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Last admission 4.30pm
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Admission is free
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Pages tagged with "IWM North"

A Closer Look: 30th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict

2.15pm. Meet at the Tour Point in the foyer. Marking the exact day of the 30th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War, join us for a 20 minute walk and talk around the Main Exhibition Space to find out more about some of the personal stories in our...
A Closer Look: Art

2.15pm. Meet at the Tour Point in the foyer. Join us on a 20 minute walk and talk around our Main Exhibition Space to find out more about the role of War Artists and the role of IWM in commissioning and collecting Art, including the chance to see...
A Closer Look: Once Upon A Wartime

2.15pm Meet at the Tour Point in the Foyer Audio described on Sunday 27 May Join us for a 20 minute walk and talk to find out more about our current special exhibition, Once Upon A Wartime. This tour will look at the five books featured in the exhibition...
A Closer Look: Personal Stories

2.15pm. Meet at the Tour Point in the foyer. Join us for a walk and talk around the Main Exhibition Space to find out more about some of the personal stories in our collections. These stories will include that of Oliver Philpott whose handmade compass,...
A Closer Look: Refugee Week

2.15pm. Meet at the Tour Point in the foyer. A walk and talk exploring the themes of Refugee Week, focusing on personal stories of displacement and migration in the Experience of War, Commonwealth and War and Legacy of War Silos within the Main...
About IWM North

The multi-award winning IWM North opened on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal on 5 July 2002 and has since welcomed over two million visitors. It is the youngest of IWM’s five branches and the first outside the south-east of England. It is the first...
Accessibility - IWM North

We are committed to ensuring IWM North is accessible to all visitors, regardless of disability, and hope the facilities we have introduced enhance your visit. These include: Six manual wheelchairs available for use free of charge* (IWM North is fully...
Air Shard

Take the lift up to the 29-metre-high viewing platform to explore more of Daniel Libeskind’s unusual three shard building representing conflict on land, in the air and at sea. Experience spectacular views of the Quays, including the new home of the BBC...
Animals and War

11.30am Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet Discover the fictional story of Joey from War Horse in the Once Upon A Wartime exhibition, then join us as puppets and pictures bring to life true heroic and heart-warming tales of wartime animal bravery such...
Animals and War

11.30am Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet Discover the fictional story of Joey from War Horse in the Once Upon A Wartime exhibition, then join us as puppets and pictures bring to life true heroic and heart-warming tales of wartime animal bravery such...