Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II reigned centuries apart, but the years of both on the throne witnessed transformational changes in British – and world – history. The first Elizabeth’s reign saw the first steps of Britain’s rise to global empire, while Elizabeth II’s years on the throne witnessed the decolonization and demise of the mighty British Empire. Below are thirty one fascinating but often overlooked things from the lives and reigns of the two Elizabeths.
As a Child, Queen Elizabeth II Was Evacuated to Escape German Bombs
Queen Elizabeth II was thirteen-years-old when World War II began in 1939. Like many British children, the then-princess was evacuated to the countryside to avoid the risk of German aerial attacks on British cities. To be sure, she was not just like any other child: she was evacuated to a palace – Windsor Castle, about twenty miles from London. Still, she was separated from her family and loved ones, and felt it keenly. In 1940, she spoke about that in her first public address on BBC’s Children’s Hour, as part of an effort to boost public morale.
As Princess Elizabeth told other British children: “Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love most of all. To you living in new surroundings, we send a message of true sympathy and at the same time we would like to thank the kind people who have welcomed you to their homes in the country”. As seen below, she involved herself in other public service activities as the war progressed, until she eventually ended up in the military.
